The Bethlem Gallery - Phantasmagoria
Saturday, July 24, 2010 An exploration of hallucinations in artists
An exhibition of paintings and drawings produced British Surrealist artists of the 1930’s; created as part of series of experiments at the Maudsley Hospital into the hallucinogenic effects of the drug mescaline.
Including artworks by Basil Beaumont, Herbrand Williams, Julian Trevelyan and others.
In the late 1930s two of the Maudsley doctors, Dr Eric Guttman and Dr the Hon Walter Maclay started a series of unprecedented experiments using the hallucinogenic mescaline. In previous studies both doctors had noted that many patients suffering from schizophrenia wanted to make art in an attempt to ‘explain themselves’. However, they also noted that only a minority of patients had the capacity to translate their hallucinations into pictorial form. These findings led the doctors to invite professional artists from the Surrealist movement, who they believed shared their interests in the unconscious and irrational, to take part in experiments involving the drug mescaline. The results of these Mescaline hallucinations or ‘experimental psychosis’ are a vivid and revealing insight into the psychology of those involved.
Opening event: 25th August 3-6pm
Exhibition continues: 26th August - 10th September
Opening times: Wed, Thu, Fri 11am - 6pm, including Saturday 4th September 11am-6pm
Address: The Bethlem Gallery, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham BR3 3BX
Travel: Nearest British Rail: Eden Park / East Croydon
Contact: Beth Elliot, Gallery co-ordinator, 020 3228 4835
Website: www.bethlemgallery.com