Artist Steve Lyons talks with me about art and his recent health diagnosis.
I am humbled by my conversation with Steve Lyons. We touch upon so many issues ranging from his early life in Appalachian region of USA where he discovered his creative side, to health industry and medicine. He talks about artistic freedom and perhaps lack of it in art education. I also follow his recent journey of diagnosis of brain tumor and feel honored that he shared his story with me.
He goes on about origins of cubism from naive, or brute art, that inspired great rivals Picasso and Matisse.
“Modern Art is all based on African Aboriginal art and specifically the Aboriginal African face masks. Now it is rather standard for artists to have an African face mask carving in their Studios. I have one at my home. ”
We talk about cancer care and Telehealth and we wish that some aspects of pandemic induced creativity in medicine and art become a part of permanent, progressive landscape.
Steve uses a concept of “illness metaphor” paradigm of which may not only be used in art, but also in medicine, as symbolical individual creative breakthrough to avoid illness that may be a sign of repressed feelings and wants. Susan Sontag was an American writer, artist and philosopher who wrote at times controversial theses on the subject.
Press button below for more information about Steve’s art and his Chatham gallery.
