Interview
Meghan Caughey
Meghan Caughey, MFA, grew up making art and playing the cello. She has used visual art and music to make the experience of schizophrenia accessible. She is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University where she uses art to train medical students and psychiatrists. Her memoir is, “Mud Flower: Surviving Schizophrenia and Suicide Through Art.”
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always drawn pictures and played string musical instruments. My family was mainly musicians and a few visual artists. I have always considered making art as simply be the natural way of being human in the world. It would be very unnatural if I did not do these things. Making art is my way of being human. When I was nineteen, my life crashed as I started having the symptoms of schizophrenia. It became imperative for me to use making art as the way I could make sense of my confusing, and frightening world. At one point, I considered becoming an art therapist, but my own problems were too huge for me to consider being in the role of an art therapist. Eventually, I saw that my life path necessitated me going to art school and that making art was essential for me to continue to live. I've never questioned this reality. Making art is the way that I find my way to stay alive.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“When I make art I am describing my psychic and emotional world. I am committed to being honest in describing what is reality for me. I believe honesty and emotion is key, and I don't try to copy anything or even make things ‘pretty’. A work of art is a living entity. There are times when something occurs that drives me to draw or paint a specific image, because I am moved to react and communicate the reality to other people. An example of this was when a woman who had the symptoms of schizophrenia was murdered by police officers and I made a painting and wrote an essay about it. (‘In Memory of Melissa Perez’). Making art is the way I can find to live in the world with its tragedies, suffering, but also beauties and meaning. It is my way of creating meaning in my humaness.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“When I am going to make a piece of art, I clear my mind and let my hand holding the brush or pastel dictate what happens on the surface of the canvas or paper. I can feel the image in my gut. I believe that images have their own reality, and I endeavor to keep my ego out of the way so the image can express itself.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I feel like this present time, socially, politically, and culturally require honesty in the creation of art. Our world must have brave images that are honest, and sometimes raw, if we are to continue as a species.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I work two dimensionally in oil on canvas, or on paper with pen and ink or charcoal and pastel. Some of my work uses color but I also at times just use black and white monochrome. I also at times use sumi-e for large works on paper.”
“Making art is the way that I find my way to stay alive.”
What does your art mean to you?
“I like to quote the German artist, Gerhard Richter, who said, ‘Art is the highest form of hope.’ Art is how I am able to be a human being on this planet right now.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“One of my favorite art works is by Käthe Kollwitz, ‘Woman with a dead Child,’ 1903. It is hard to look at emotionally, but it is absolutely honest and profound. It moves me deeply.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“One of my favorite exhibitions was at the J.Pepin Gallery in Portland, Oregon when I showed large sumi-e works. At the opening, I played a cello improvisation, followed by having the floor covered with huge pieces of paper. I taught the attendees how to grind sumi-e ink and paint using the horsetail brushes. People got down on the floor and discovered for themselves what it is like to use a wash and do sumi-e. It was a beautiful occasion!”
Website: meghancaughey.com
Instagram: @meghancaughey
