Jan202012
THE ELECTRIC PENCIL, the story of Outsider Artist James Edward Deeds Jr. Committed for Life at the tender age of 17 to Lunatic Asylum No.3, Nevada, MO in 1925. Heavily subjected to psychotropic drugs and electric shock treatment, his is a tale of the need to create, even in the most adverse conditions. Deeds executed an extraordinary album of drawings, acknowledged as masterpieces of Outsider Art.
Caroline Storm
Jan 20, 2012 -
Our treatment of the “different” is now so far beneath what was available for Edward that we can be seen as carers who have regressed to a previous stone [hearted] age.
ECT use has increased, even though the research is still suspect as to whether, in its saving of the few, it may not have destroyed the many.
Edward’s legacy is massive, moving, magnificent, but why did not his family provide paper when they visited.
Most moving for me was the asylum, a refuge and a place where patients seemed cared for and cared about. There are no such asylums for the seriously mentally ill now, here {Australia] or in the USA. I do believe Edward had perhaps a personality disorder rather than a brain disease such as schizophrenia, bipolar 1 or a serious affective disorder. There is a beautiful serenity and love of his world within these drawings which belies those progressive incurable brain disorders. My daughter suffered paranoid schizophrenia. She was a superb artist and photographer. I believe the main reason for her suicide at forty was because the disease had persistently degraded her creativity and talent. I understand the despair which led to her violent death.
Edward’s life was restricted but he beautifully maintained the creativity which somehow made his life bearable. His art breathes a peace with life.
Now the “different” and seriously mentally ill have no asylum, in the best sense of the word. Here and in America some are medicated, nobody is provided with psychotherapy, only about 35% are treated and a large cohort live in tenements, on the streets, in prisons [the new asylums] or rest in graves or urns.
Thank you, Edward, for so brilliant a legacy from your sad life. Caroline Storm
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Shelley Rickey
Jan 21, 2012 -
This is such an amazing story. I absolutely Love his drawings. Thanks for posting. And, thanks in general for such a great site. i don’t leave a comment often but i read EVERYTHING. : )