Gregory Van Maanen began to create art to help him deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It was the severe physical and mental trauma he experienced during his military service in the Vietnam War that left him with PTSD, specifically “survivor’s guilt.” Painting gave him a chance to lighten the burden of his internal struggles.
This solo exhibition features works in a variety of media, including paintings and mixed-media sculptures. Skeletons and cruciform are two of the most common subjects for his paintings and drawings, subjects he has described as “good magic.”
Van Maanen’s seemingly relentless motivation to create has resulted in thousands of works of art. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center holds the largest collection of his work, including drawings, sculptures, paintings, cast heads, embellished furniture, and amulets.
Photo: Gregory Van Maanen, Female Bust, 1992; paint on wood; 48 x 30 in. John Michael Kohler Arts Center Collection, gift of Kohler Foundation, Inc.
