Clarissa [Sometimes] Explains It All

It’s safe to say that Henry Darger was a hermit. He was a notoriously reclusive artist who is famous for a 15,145 paged (single-spaced, mind you) manuscript titled The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion, which was discovered after his death. On top of that, he created several hundred drawings and watercolor paintings to accompany the story. Darger’s ability to sustain creativity with his isolated lifestyle is quite perplexing. Often times, environment has a great influence on inspiration and art. However, Darger channeled a changing environment with the walls of his room, which is displayed in the exhibition, “The Private Collection of Henry Darger.”Hundreds of artwork was applied to his one room bedroom apartment by a string, tack, or glue. He hung self-made collages that focused mainly on young girls and his Catholic faith.

One has a deeper perspective of Darger’s mysterious life through his “art collection.” The colleges are cut or ripped with purpose, each with a specific story, contrasting with the epic nature of the watercolor pieces. He must have stored hundreds of tales in his mind. It brings up this question,- if a recluse can have creativity despite a limited environment, do our surroundings really effect us? In turn, what is the determining factor for the differences in identical twins if not the environment? “The Private Collection of Henry Darger” is available at the American Folk Art Museum until October 24.

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