The Artist During the 1970's, Paul's art flourished within the progressive educational environments provided by Wennington School in Yorkshire and Monkton Wylde, Dorset. Despite this however, the legacy of a disturbed childhood and a turbulent home life eventually proved over-whelming and Paul was ultimately admitted to Brookwood Mental Hospital.

Thus commenced a protracted saga of professional 'diagnosis' and 're-diagnosis', covering everything from hebephrenic schizophrenia to paranoid schizophrenia to bi-polar disorder (manic depression).

Upon his discharge from Brookwood four years later, Paul found himself totally unprepared for the world and for the requirements of day to day living. He naively became involved in a conspiracy to defraud the Clearing Banks and served two years in prison as a consequence.

Incarceration afforded Paul the time to develop his artistic technique and he was encouraged in his endeavours by among other institutions, Reg and Ron Kray. On release from prison, Paul determined to focus his energies solely on his art and support from the 'SANE' Arts Grant Scheme has helped him to achieve his ambitions.

Following a serious breakdown in 1995, Paul spent five years unable to work and for a significant period preferred instead to consider his life and work from bed. It was during this time that he met Lorna, then a student mental health nurse; with her help he eventaully surfaced and they were married in 2000.

Paul and Lorna continue to live near Godalming where Paul works from his studio.

The Art
During his late 20's and early 30's Paul enjoyed notable success in portraiture, with commission works including actor John Hurt and the boxer Nigel Benn.

In 1992 Paul completed his eighth major work. Entitled 'Barmy Days'. the work was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, London and has met wide acclaim within the artistic community. The painting sets powerful character portrayals against the social and political backdrop of that era.

Marjorie Wallace (SANE's Chief Executive Officer), has described the painting as being "an important historical document".

At about the same time, another work 'Death of Kong' was exhibited at the Colony Room, in London's Soho - '…second home to the era's leading painters, writers and their muses' (Martin Gayford, Independent on Sunday, 22 July 20001, ); past patrons including Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud.

By the mid 1990's, Paul had started exploring what he refers to as the 'Box Paintings'. 'Box' paintings are characterised by the use of a third dimension in an otherwise two dimensional format, making use of shadow, deformation and geometry though 'cut' surfaces. The themes of this work are often abstract with references to mythology, sexuality and childhood.

Currently, Paul is continuing with the development of multi-dimensional formats and also further explorations of the psyche and mythological themes.

The Artist's Condition and Continuing Journey
'Barmy Days' is on permanent loan to SANE and in early 2002 it will be exhibited in the atrium of the Prince of Wales Research Centre in Oxford.
Lorna is nearing the completion of her book, "Barmy Days", which describes Paul's struggles and triumphs though their many years together.

Paul is actively involved in many creative ventures and is currently working on new exhibition material. Details of forthcoming UK and international exhibitions will be available in the 'News and Events' section of this website.

Paul can be contacted at enquiries@paul-lake.com or via the
Feeback Screen.


The artist with painting
'Death of Kong' 1993