Located in Queens, New York City, The Living Museum is an art studio dedicated to presenting art produced by patients at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, the largest state psychiatric care center in New York City. It is the first working studio and museum of its kind and holds the largest collection of outsider art in the United States. Today over 70 artists work at the museum on a regular basis.
In 1983, Dr. Marton a psychologist at Creedmoor invited Bolek Greczynski, a Polish artist known for his work in political art and experimental theater, to join the hospital staff. Together, the two guided the transformation of an abandoned building on the Creedmoor grounds into a place of extraordinary beauty.
Mr. Greczynski was the museum’s first director. Dr. Marton took over the post in 1995, shortly after Mr. Greczynski death. Today, 70 or so artists work at the museum regularly.
Dr. Mitra Reyhani Ghadim, an artist, therapist and educator whose work bridges clinical practice, research, and the arts, is the current director of the Living Museum where she curates exhibitions and mentors the participating artists.
There is this question of, Would van Gogh have been a great artist if he would not have been mentally ill? I think that mental illness is an asset in art. You don’t have to be mentally ill to be a great artist, but you definitely have to work very hard to get to a spot where mentally ill people are automatically.
Dr. Janos Marton, Co-founder of The Living Museum
