Chapter 1
Creativity hurts
1.3d Homosexuality
| Homosexuality is of course not sick or mad, but it is unusual and thus considered abnormal (abnormal being unlike the norm, i.e. a minority). The rather large percentage of homosexuals in the arts demands explanation.
According to G. Domino 'there are no statistical grounds for assuming that homosexuals are more successfully creative than heterosexuals' based on a test of getting representatives of both groups to engage in creative writing. The social background of a homosexual individual is likely to be very different from that of a heterosexual in that the homosexual person continuously has to fight discrimination. In a lot of cases, I imagine, especially before the 1970's, these individuals were forced to hide their sexual orientation. Creativity is a way to legitimately communicate these feelings. |
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The poems Michelangelo wrote show that he was troubled by doubts as to whether his art had been sinful. Michelangelo 'Dying Slave' |
 Mapplethorpe's work addresses homosexuality amongst other themes very directly, but never without technical and compositional brilliance. Self-portrait by Robert Mapplethorpe |
Since the people involved in the arts are supposedly more liberal than members of other professions, the 'outcast' will find acceptance and respect here more than elsewhere. These are possible reasons why a homosexual individual might be drawn to the creative profession. That is not to say that they are not genuinely creative.
For those who believe that there is an artist in everyone, and that it just needs to be developed the above mentioned ideas are fundamental. Also responsible for the large percentage of homosexuals in the arts, is the fact that the artistic work environment allows for eccentricity and unusual behaviour. |
 Francis Bacon -'Study for portrait of Lucian Freud' |