Richard McLean

​This website is mainly about my book 'Recovered, Not Cured...', and other publications I have created.

 

For more information on my art and other creative practices please see www.creativemusings.com.au :-)

 

My artistry began in childhood and continued years later with the completion of a Bachelor of Fine Art from Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, (Drawing), with a minor study in ceramics.​

It was during and after this phase that my art practice took a different turn-with the digitisation of my work, and co-inciding with the onset of schizophrenia when I was 20 years old. After some time I returned to study completing an advanced diploma in Computer Aided Art & Design. (CAAD).

The art I made during this time was published in the autobiographical account of recovery, in 'Recovered, Not Cured, a journey through schizophrenia', (Allen and Unwin, 2003), which was awarded a 'Highly commended' from the HREOC, and nominated SANE Australia's 'Book of the year', prompting a long relationship with the organisation.

Not to be held back from my illness, after much travel and more study, I was employed by 'The Herald Sun' and 'The Age' newspapers respectively, specialising in news graphics and illustration.

In 2008, I published a collection of his works in the book 'Strange Currencies of Ego and Soul'. As a spiritualist, soul is heaven, ego reflects the darker side of human nature, for it's corruptible condition, I think the book reflects both these themes.

My private art practice did not stop, however, and I have constantly been exhibiting in solo, and group shows, since 1995. At one point I utilised the computer based medium to diversify into short film-making.

The sideline from my artistry reflecting periods of 'dis-chordancy', led to the filming of a documentary on my life and visual practice, by The Dax Collection.  Entitled 'Collected Thoughts 3', the film is distributed as a resource mostly for young people in Australian Secondary Schools as a teaching resource. 

I spoke publicly for many years on the role of art and recovery from, and coping with schizophrenia, doing countless radio interviews and public lectures. Its taken me to such diverse places as Australian Parliament in Canberra, to Dubbo in outback New South Wales, and The School of Religious and Philosophy studies, in Montreal, Canada, where I also exhibited.

I have also spoken extensively with The Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI) on my experience of art making and life experiences with high school students. In 2009 I lectured to national body of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Team, (VCAT), in which I used my life experiences, and art, to help decide and direct what is appropriate for school curriculum in Australian High Schools.

Talking about the images was always a good starting point and insight of the time, which people were interested in, and sufferers could relate to. My speaking role  also helped a lot of people I think, and was very cathartic, but now I spend my time solely on art practice,  without involvement re-living obvious trauma of years gone by. I'm looking forward. I'm excited by the future.

I have since moved on from public speaking and the role my past art played.

A body of work from 2011 was celebrated at Kingston Arts Centre, and entitled ‘Back to Basics’, of which a examples of work are available on this site. It was a return to the traditional sensibilities of drawing - form and space, using subjects reflecting on circumstance, metaphor, bayside location, and utilising social realism, symbolism and drawing upon my personal experiences.

Many are available to purchase as prints, cards and framed canvases in my RedBubble store.

These drawings represent my joy of image making, also the rhythmic dynamics of light and dark in both a metaphysical and visual sense. Of late I am exploring character making in the yet to be published children’s book, ‘Grogan the Monster in…What do you Love?’, also available on this site.

In Feb 2012, I held another solo show, ‘Because I like to draw - Return from Pessimism’, at Gasworks Arts Park, in South Melbourne - a lighter look at localised urban environments within a traditional context that welled from a much more positive space.

I like to think I am a hopeful example of recovery from acute psychosis - I have finished a Masters in Education and am now doing my PhD in artificial intelligence, transhumanism, youth and ethics. (Writing another novel!)

 

My other website hosts more of my artwork at www.creativemusings.com.au

 

Hope you enjoy the work and are inspired.


Best, Richard.