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Manvern Willian

Manvern William Willian (January 25, 1973 – October 16, 1998) was a British artist. His talent was discovered after he died at the Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire, England, where he was sent to at the age of eighteen, when his mother (Ruby Willian) discovered he had Schizophrenia. His father, Robert Henry William Willian, abandoned him and his mother when he was eight years old.  

Background

Family

Manvern's portrait at the age of nineteen

Manvern was a single son to Ruby Elizabeth Wallis St. John and Robert Henry William Willian. His father came from a wealthy family, whose business was heavily reliant on fish. Robert lived near the family's fishing port for most of his life, until he ran away and married the love of his life Ruby, mother to Manvern. They settled in Berkshire, where Manvern was born on January 25, 1973. They lived a less fortunate life, which resulted into conflict between Ruby and Robert.

In 1981, Manvern's father abandoned them for an unknown reason. He left nothing but a note on the dinner table that said "I am sorry, I love you".

Childhood

Manvern's childhood was not so happy. He grew up always feeling like an outsider. He went to a catholic school, where he never really believed in what was told to him. He had so many unanswered questions. Home never felt like home to him, because by five years old he started to understand the never ending fights his parents would have. By seven years old, he already showed of depression, and social withdrawal was noticed by his teachers at school. Ruby did not have much time to pay attention to his emotional state after the father left, because she was working all day and night. Manvern was always on his own from that point forward.

Mental Health Problems

Manvern showed signs of schizophrenia at an early stage of his life, but it was not until he was eighteen when his mother realized he needed help. At that point she had gathered enough money to send him off to college, so she was able to spend more time with him and notice his unusual behavior. The insomnia, the flat expressionless gaze, his extreme reaction to criticism, and disorganized speech and actions. Ruby took him to a psychiatrist, when she got worried and Manvern was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 1991, his mother used all his college money for his treatment at the Broadmoor Hospital. This is a challenge time for both Manvern and his mother. He was not convinced that he was sick and needed help, and his mother felt like she was losing another loved one.

Broadmoor Hospital

Manvern stayed at the Broadmoor Hospital until he commited suicide at the age of 25. He showed little to no-signs of improvement when it came to being treated. Many nurses claimed that he would go days and days without sleep, saying that" [His] thoughts kills me." According to Dr. Zane Henry, "Manvern was the most peculiar patient I have ever encountered. It was evident that schizophrenia was severely taking over him, but there was something that made him odder than the other schizophrenic patients. I simply wish he would not have ended his life, because I am sure there was light at the end of his tunnel, he simply chose to give up." His artworks were discovered after he died, when the nurses were cleaning out his room.

Art Works

There are a few art works that were found after Manvern died. He used art to explain what he was seeing in his sleep. Manvern shared his artworks with Dr. Zane Henry. In an interview with Dr. Zane Henry he said, "Manvern used to draw in the middle of the therapy session. He would stay silent and of course I would let him do as he wishes, but there was something scary about these drawings, something I that made me feel sorry for him."

He used colored markers because that was the only type of of coloring available at the hospital. Manvern's drawing were used to help communicate his thoughts with the doctors, but sometimes it made no sense, because it was very abstract. He did not think a lot, he just drew what came to mind. There is no real explanation behind them, because he never shared them with anyone. He did not even write notes or a date on them. But his thoughts and mental illness were reflected in them.

Death

Manvern death was because he hung himself from the staircase. He left no note or evidence to prove a reason behind his suicide. The nurses have confirmed that he has never attempted to commit suicide in any shape or form, as a matter of fact his room mate, Jackson ManDelr said, "I thought he was getting better, he told me that he wants to get out and asked if he wanted me to go with him. I thought how did he become so optimistic thinking we would get out of this place? Turns out he didn't mean 'out' he meant back up to the Lord and savior. May his soul rest in peace."