Time Travel Tuesday » Henry Darger
I asked my pal Lisa who should be my focus of Time Travel Tuesday today, and she mentioned that she loves the work of Henry Darger. Henry Darger! Perfect!
He’s an American folk artist who worked as a custodian in Chicago, Illinois. Darger became famous after his death, when a 15,145-page, single-spaced fantasy manuscript called The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion, along with several hundred drawings and watercolor paintings illustrating the story were discovered.
In the Realms of the Unreal (shortened title) is the story of the 7 daughters of Robert Vivian who are aid in a rebellion in the nation of Abbieannia, working against the evil regime of child slavery imposed by John Manley and the Glandelinians. Children go to war, fighting, and are often killed in battle or captured and tortured.
Above and below, some images from Darger’s opus. All images via the American Folk Art Museum website.
One of my favorite artists for sure. Have you seen his work in person? It’s pretty freaking amazing!
I have, many years ago. Really amazing stuff!
YES! So excited to see this up — I just watched the fascinating documentary on this artist a couple of weeks back. I always enjoy your postings!
Thank you! I haven’t seen the documentary yet. If you are ever in Baltimore, Maryland, you should visit the American Visionary Arts Museum. It is a museum dedicated to folk artists and is really incredible (with the best museum store!).
This makes me want to watch the documentary again. I love hearing stories about prolific but private artists being discovered posthumously. Darger and Vivian Maier both with Chicago ties. Maier was actually alive when her work was found, but died before people were able to track her down.