An amazing review of our latest art book. Bryan Charnley. Art and Adversity

James Charnley achieves that rarity; an art book devoid of the usual verbiage and mystifying, esotericism. Whilst being accessible, it is erudite, even donnish and slavishly researched. He traces his twin brother’s history. It is a twofold journey, through the life of a significant painter and his all consuming passion with his mental state which had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

This tale is a tragic one, like all great stories, ending in death. Related with an honesty, a humanity and a wonderful clarity that draws one in, like a thriller, in that one consumes it greedily, whilst James related his twin’s revelations about his condition, which are, possibly, more illuminating insights than have been previously exposed, as the artist tries to “…see the stars through the scars.”

A plethora of fabulous illustrations of Bryan’s paintings keeps us up to date and captivated. A great read, a fine artist and told by a meaningful author.