3.2 Henry Darger and his imaginary worlds

Henry Darger's life was marked by trauma and isolation. As a janitor in Chicago, he secretly created an extensive body of art and writing, only discovered after his death in 1973. His work reflects his experiences and imagination.

Darger's masterpiece, "The Realms of the Unreal," is a 15,000-page illustrated novel. It follows the Vivian Girls in a epic battle between good and evil, blending religious themes with fantastical elements in a unique, self-taught artistic style.

Henry Darger's Life and Artistic Creation

Background of Henry Darger

Top images from around the web for Background of Henry Darger

• 

  Outsider Art Museum - Музей творчества аутсайдеров | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Henry Darger - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Outsider art - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Outsider Art Museum - Музей творчества аутсайдеров | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Henry Darger - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Background of Henry Darger

• 

  Outsider Art Museum - Музей творчества аутсайдеров | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Henry Darger - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Outsider art - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Outsider Art Museum - Музей творчества аутсайдеров | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Henry Darger - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Early life shaped by trauma born in Chicago 1892 lost mother and sister young placed in institutions and orphanages
• Adult years spent as hospital janitor in Chicago led reclusive life devoted free time to creating art and writing
• Artistic work discovered posthumously 1973 revealed extensive collection of writings and illustrations
• Personal experiences heavily influenced art themes of childhood innocence and violence permeate work
• Created complex imaginary world as form of escapism incorporated religious imagery and symbolism (Catholic iconography)

Narratives in Darger's artwork

• The Realms of the Unreal 15,000-page illustrated novel centers on Vivian Girls' story depicts conflict between child slaves and adult oppressors
• Characters include seven Vivian sisters as heroines embroiled in Glandeco-Angelinian war features supernatural beings and events (child-protective angels)
• Explores themes of good vs evil innocence vs corruption religious allegory and morality
• Visual storytelling through large-scale panoramic illustrations juxtaposes idyllic scenes with violent imagery

Artistic style of Darger's worlds

• Self-taught approach developed distinctive personal style without formal art training
• Utilized found imagery and collage techniques traced and adapted images from magazines and coloring books (Coppertone Girl advertisements)
• Employed vibrant often unrealistic colors primarily used watercolor and pencil as mediums
• Created large panoramic scenes featured repetition of figures and elements
• Portrayed characters with ambiguous gender characteristics used stylized anatomy and proportions
• Integrated text and image through handwritten captions and annotations visual storytelling complemented written narrative