Believe it or not artist draws and paints in his sleep

Gifted, talented are words often used to describe the works of artists, but when it comes to Lee Hadwin, he definitely meets the true definition of these words.

Hadwin is described as a sleep artist, who only creates art in his sleep. He has no formal artistic training and did not teach himself how to paint or draw. He draws and paints landscape, sketches, and figures while sleeping. He has no inclination to being an artist in his waking life and has no recollection of creating the artworks when he wakes up.

Hadwin started drawing in his sleep from the age of four, but paid attention to his talent in his teenage years. Lee was initially rejected by the art world, but has sold art works for six figures sums to celebrities. According to The Independent, Hadwin, has been studied by doctors and psychologists both in the UK and overseas. He has been described by the Edinburgh Sleep Clinic as “unique”.

I am intrigued by anything to do with the subconscious mind, improvisation and automatism, so I was excited to find out about Lee’s exhibition in London. I had the opportunity to visit the private opening of his first solo exhibition in the UK called Hypnos at the RISE Gallery in Croydon.

RISE Gallery opened its doors in October last year and has brought a different level of art to Croydon with the aim to change the cultural landscape of Croydon. RISE works closely with exceptionally talented and skilled emerging and established international artists. RISE specialises in bringing the works of modern urban contemporary and post war pop art work to a global audience.

At the show, Hadwin recreated the environment in which he creates his work in his sleep by having a bed installation and pencils, drawing paper and pastels littered around the bed as part of the exhibition in the gallery.

There was a mixed reaction from some visitors I spoke to at the exhibition. Some found his works intriguing and mind blowing that all the artwork on display was done in his sleep. Some were more sceptical and felt the abstract paintings were believable, but the more detailed intricate drawings were drawn by a wide awake professional artist. I on the other hand was fascinated. I am intrigued by anything to do with the subconscious mind, so this was right up my street.

Although whilst looking at the works, I completely forgot that Hadwin did this in his sleep. I was looking at the pieces of artwork from an aesthetic perspective and enjoyed the different styles, mixed media and drawings on display. I was more intrigued that this array of techniques, styles and media was produced by one artist. And to cap it all, it was all done whilst the artist was asleep. That’s phenomenon!!

The drawings below are my favourite pieces. I love the gentle depiction of femininity. The drawings for me had a calming effect and invoked imagery of angels, heavenly bodies, goddesses, deities and all things to do with the spiritual realm, celestial beings and the innings of the subconscious mind.