WiredPRNews.com — Canadian painter William Kurelek expressed conflict and salvation. The visions of persecution are abundantly evident in the early works of the Canadian painter William Kurelek.
The late painter, who died in 1977, may be best known for a piece that appeared on an album cover four years after his death. The image at the left is on the 1981 Van Halen record titled ‘Fair Warning,’ and it reflects Kurelek’s early visions of persecution and paranoia. According to an article in Answers.com about Kurelek, the images are taken from his 1953 work titled ‘The Maze.’
One image depicts a young Kurelek being kicked out of the house by an abusive father. Whether or not the father was actually abusive and ever did this is unknown, but Kurelek’s visions of a combative, brutality-filled world are evident in his early work. The link at the bottom of this article shows additional examples of his work.
Born on a farm in rural Alberta, Canada in 1927, Kurelek studied art at the University of Manitoba and at the San Miguel Art School in Mexico, according to a biographical page that appears on Cornell University’s website. In 1952, he travelled to London, England and sought medical treatment for his schizophrenia and after a, Kurelek leaves the care of the hospital with a renewed interest in his Christian faith and a significantly diminished schizophrenia, according to Cornell’s online article.
According to an Answers.com article about Kurelek, his post-treatment paintings become more serene and peaceful. In fact, he paints a series of images about the Passion of Christ in his later years which become quite popular.
His 1971 work titled ‘Out of the Maze’ is another example of how his successful treatment changed his outlook, and his art, in his later years.
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/179/5/0.pdf
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/nbb421/student2003/epl8/Blank%20Page%201.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/william-kurelek
