Arthur struggled with health problems triggered by injuries from an assault in 1959. He struggled with alcoholism and a long term hospital stay for cancer treatment. In 1971 he spent five weeks at the State Hospital #2 in St. Joseph for alcoholism. During his stay, he created the “Sounds of Fury” book, sketching and describing his fellow patients and orderlies. Throughout his struggles he always maintained his sense of humor. He was generous, kind, funny, and had a tremendous amount of whimsy about him according to his friends.

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Arthur Kraft was a Kansas City artist. He spent five weeks in the alcoholic ward at the St. Joseph State Hospital in 1970. During his stay he would slip away from his area and make contact with patients. The experience affected him deeply as he realized, “these people needed help,” “to be a functioning part of the world,” and “a family to love.” Arthur felt a lot of people there really didn’t need to be there. He encountered many frightened persons, some of whom were withdrawn and some who were living in fantasies.

 

I met Arthur when I was 6 years old. I was affected by his kindness and warmth and very much by his art. At the time, I thought that he invented the color blue and it belonged to him. He made so many blues and each were so brilliant. I remember checking my (largest made) crayon box to see how many blues were in it and if they matched Arthur’s. Arthur’s art evokes emotions of every kind. His lines are alive; some electric and look like barbwire, some smooth and curved and although they appear loose, they are intentional and powerful.

 

During his time at the hospital recovering, Arthur created a series of sketches and stories describing what he had seen and experienced in hopes of creating an awareness of this situation. These works were compiled in a limited edition book titled “Sounds of Fury.” He also made several large paintings from his impressions of my family farm. My father would pick him up and drive him to the farm on the weekends so that he could paint and take a break from the hospital. Arthur created a significant body of work during this time as a result of his stay at the hospital. He said the hospital experience heightened his sensitivities and that he learned to be more compassionate and would always listen to persons with problems.

 

Arthur was a multifaceted person and artist. He really could make anything. I like describing him as multifaceted because it references his beautiful and unusual use of gemstone colors that were so much a part of his work during the years he struggled with alcoholism. Along with painting he made sculptures, mosaics, and stained glass. Arthur was spiritual, religious, compassionate, curious, and kind. He loved and was loved. He had a wonderful sense of humor. What he was able to accomplish and maintain throughout his suffering was truly amazing. 

 

What was the cause of Arthur’s mental imbalances and alcoholism? Was it trauma from time spent serving in WWII? Was it being severely beaten one night in Kansas City for his wallet? Was it the poor health he struggled with over many years? Many people have their ideas about this tragedy that took a man who was listed as one of Americas Top 10 Men and an artist who was successfully making and selling art in Europe and the United States. There were many struggles for Arthur, but his work remained his anchor, always.

 

-Megan Wyeth