Creative Alien dives deep into the world of unconventional artists offering an unfiltered glimpse into their raw and sometimes tragic lives. Discover the intriguing biographies of self-taught, neurodivergent, and outsider artists, as well as those living on society’s fringes.
Join Shelby & Alexa as they continue their discussion of Swiss Outsider Artist Adolf Wölfli. Adjusting to his new life at the Waldau Insane Asylum, Wölfli copes with his situation and his mental illness by creating intricate drawings and fantastical autobiographies.
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Sources: Madness and Art: The Life and Works of Adolf Wölfli,Adolf Wölfli: Draftsman, Writer, Poet, Composer, and www.adolfwoelfli.ch
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Description
In Part I of the series, we last left Wölfi in the aftermath of three (thankfully unsuccessful) attempts at molesting children.
He was arrested and his mental state was assessed. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was deemed unfit to stand trial for his crimes, but was still considered a threat to society.
So, in 1895, at 31 years old, Wölfli was committed to the Waldau Asylum in Bern Switzerland until he was cured of his illness.
Photos
Juno, Goddess of the Negroes, 1904. Pencil on newsprint. 
Sommer=Wirtschaft. Zehndermätteli. Bern (Summer=Inn. Zehndermätteli. Bern), 1907. Pencil and colored pencil on newsprint, 74.5 x 99.5 cm 
Der Amazohn=Strom und Amazohn=Hall (The Amazon=River and Amazon=Hall), 1911. Pencil and colored pencil on newsprint, 99.5 x 74.5 cm. 
Die Kreutzigung des heiligen Skt. Adolf auf der Haven=Insel von Biskaya, im stillem Ozean. 1,876 (Crucifixion of the Holy St. Adolf on Harbor=Island of Biscay, Pacific Ocean), 1914. Pencil and colored pencil on newsprint, 71.3 / 72.6 × 100.5 cm 
Old German Gothic Sütterlin script 
S.M.König, Friederich Wilhelm von Preussen. Deutschland (His Majesty King, Frederick William of Prussia. Germany), 1917Pencil and colored pencil on drawing paper, 43.8 x 28.8 cm 
Riesen=Blitz mit Allmacht=Riesen=Kette (Giant-Lightning with Almighty-Giant-Chain), 1919, Pencil and colored pencil on drawing paper, 51.2 x 68 cm
Sources
- Madness and Art: The Life and Works of Adolf Wölfli By Dr Walter Morgenthaler
- Adolf Wölfli: Draftsman Writer Poet Composer Edited by Elka Spoerri