this convo came up with a friend this morning, and it started us thinking that if we disregard the art of monsters, there would be a lot less beauty in the world. it makes me think about how some people are more in touch with their dark side than others, and the art may come from there, or maybe it comes from the light when it has a chance to crowd out the dark, and manifest in the form of art.
© 2026 – SoulSequel
18 responses to “what should we do with the art of monsters?”
“Dark art” says something. I’ve cautiously produced my share of it; mindful of the axiom that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and the hands move”.
My past has perhaps put me more “in touch” with the dark side of my soul (something lost). But I refuse to give it significant expression/control over the light of my spirit.
Most artists have some kind of “dark phase”. But in life the value is in the balance and not in the extremes. If this is all they have, the value is greatly decreased.
In nature, each day has its share of light and darkness. And we have a great body of evidence that more darkness than light, has a depressing effect on our psychology and physiology: while more lightness than dark seems to have mostly positive effect.
@griz
AH-HA!!!
I always suspected you were a monster!
@luftballooneyegouge
Grrr!
(My avatar is a monster Grizzly Bear!)
But I have wondered how I would handle being a war photographic journalist. I would probably rise to the occasion and produce some very dark and poignant images — and then pay for it for the rest of my life.
The nature of darkness is to try to dominate and eventually destroy those who think they can make it their ally.
@griz the shadows are nothing to be afraid of. if we go into the forest at night, we will be surprised to find some natural light there.
We can shine a light into our own shadow parts, as well as bring a light to the world.
@Scarlett
Neither is the light anything to be afraid of.
An artist who only lives in the Darkness, is currently unbalanced. There is a difference between visiting it and living there. The former is a part of life’s process.
The latter is a part of death’s process.
I hold disregard for everything, but it still keeps happening & seems to be doing well for itself.
I am the reason men fear the darkness…
@immortal_pirate
Hey, men in kilts with medieval 2-handed pokey-whackers are scary enough in the broad daylight!
@griz (Swoooon!!!) You had me at “2-handed pokey-whackers”…….
I can become the darkness when need be…
@immortal_pirate I know that you have been trained in several forms of combat and getting control in a bad situation. I have seen you put the hurt on a man and have him down and giving you back something he snatched from you in a crowd. He thought that he could assault you and you gave him an instant painful surprise. You are the protector in my eyes. When I feared the pit bull dog that was running in the neighborhood attacking cats and people, you came out to swing a broad sword and in that I found comfort. The dog did not appear, or attack. However, had he leapt out of the shadows, in a full run toward us, I knew you would fight him off. I think that dog knew not to come out of the safety of the night shadows.
You live in a balance of strength and gentle kindness. Both are there to serve the situation. I find comfort in that. Whether it is your strength in swinging a hammer to create things around the house, or to be able to master the lid of a pickle jar, I am glad to know that you are here.
…you were saying something about monsters?
Levels and types of darkness is open to interpretation. What I think is disgusting and dark might be OK with someone else. I should not have the power to take any art away from anybody, but I have the choice to boycott that art in my own life. I don’t have to go the gallery or buy their art.
It’s up to whoever is funding the artist to give them money or not. If it’s so vile, ex: child pornography; well that is illegal and anyone involved would get prosecuted.
@Gina I guess monstrosity is in the eye of the beholder. some think Hemingway and bulkowski are monsters.
Look at it and perhaps learn from it.
History records that Adolf Hitler was a monster who started out as a painter. History also records that he was a failure on both accounts.
@immortal_pirate …and it was a Jewish professor at his art school that said he wasn’t any good at art. I bet that was the seed of hatred that was planted in him over Jews. Hitler was a weak bastard.
i was thinking that i dont have to have anything to do with it. i mean, if a person who i thought was horrible created something, i dont have to support or partake in that creation.
i dont have to partake in the art of monsters, but i dont have to effect whether or not it exists? if i am triggered i can leave it be. maybe it has a value or a lesson or a purpose for some other reason. i dont have to have anything to do with the art of monsters…