Getty ImagesA Kent graffiti artist has spoken about a psychotic episode he experienced in a documentary film about his life that is being screened in cinemas and festivals.
Sam Cox, known as Mr. Doodle, became famous for filling every inch of his Tenterden home with doodle art.
The movie titled Mr. Doodle’s Problemexplores his obsession with graffiti and his personal struggles.
“Because of what I share on social media, people only see the positive parts of what I do, but this film depicts all the complex and dark parts of my life. ” he said.
Mr. Doodle’s popularity skyrocketed internationally after his videos on social media racked up millions of views.
He said: “I had a psychotic episode and Mr Doodle took over which created difficulties.
“I lost my sense of reality. I didn’t know where I was or who I was.”
Mother Andrea Cox said in the documentary: “As a mother, the scariest thing is losing your child.
“I was just as scared of losing him mentally.
“I think Sam found himself in some land somewhere caught up in a nightmare that he couldn’t control.”
In 2020, Doodle became the world’s fifth most successful artist under 40 at auction.
He said, “People may feel that painting is the problem, but for me it was really the solution.
“It wasn’t painting that drove me insane; it was trying to separate work from other parts of my life.”
Mr. Doodle I painted a 16 meter (52 ft) tall graffiti Side view of a multi-storey car park in Ashford, Kent, 2023.
“Really, it can happen to anyone in any field of work,” he said of his personal struggles.
She added: “I feel like I was born to draw, but I’m human.
“I realized I needed Mr. Doodle to be a part of my life.”
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