Distorted portraits bring clarity for emerging Albert Park artist

An Albert Park man has opened up about his struggles with mental health and how the healing power of art made him “feel less alone”. Now he has his first exhibition in the St Kilda.

Albert Park artist Daniel Coulson with some of his work from the Aesthetic Distortions exhibition. Picture: Andy Brownbill

An emerging Albert Park artist who started “scribbling” on pizza boxes and packing cardboard during a hospital stay says his work helps him connect with the world.

Daniel Coulson, 30, now has his first solo exhibition at the St Kilda Town Hall.

The former mathematics student told the Leader he had been drawn to the quiet of the art room during his time in hospital, and taught himself to draw and work with different mediums.

Coulson said drawing was a way to express himself and often a “cathartic experience”.

“When I was admitted to hospital, I was feeling very isolated and disconnected,” he said.

“I started scribbling to try and express how I felt to others and when people did relate to my work, it made me feel really good; it made me feel less alone.”

Albert Park artist Daniel Coulson with some of his work at St Kilda Town Hall in St Kilda, Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

His exhibition, Aesthetic Distortions, is supported by Port Phillip Council’s Access Arts mentoring program, which aims to foster emerging artists with lived experience of disability and/or mental health issues by developing their skills and confidence.

The 78 works on display show Coulson’s flair for drawing portraits, capturing raw emotion and the power of pain and despair.

He said art had the power to heal — both for the artist and the audience.

“Art is important because as social beings we survive in groups and art is the glue for those groups, it keeps us together,” he said.

“When we make art, be it to tell our story, to express how we feel or to make something beautiful, it connects us.”

Coulson, whose works include charcoal, pen and oil pastel portraits, said he preferred to work with oil pastels but had learnt to “work with whatever I could find” while he was in hospital.

“We couldn’t have sharpeners in hospital so pencil was too difficult and oil pastels were the best option most of the time,” he said.

Aesthetic Distortions can be viewed at the Carlisle Street Arts Space at the St Kilda Town Hall between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Entry is free.

A special meet the artist talk will be held on Thursday, July 25, from 5pm-7pm.

And you can see more of Daniel Coulson’s work on Instagram.