🎨Outsider Art Unit 7 – Outsider Art in the US: Key Figures & Trends

What's Outsider Art Anyway?

• Outsider Art refers to art created by self-taught artists who are not part of the mainstream art world
• Often created by individuals who have little or no contact with the conventional art world or art institutions
• Outsider artists typically have no formal art training and create art for personal satisfaction rather than commercial gain
• Outsider Art encompasses a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, and mixed media
• Characterized by raw, unconventional, and often highly personal or idiosyncratic styles and subject matter
  • May feature unusual materials, techniques, or approaches to art-making
  • Often reflects the artist's unique worldview, experiences, or mental states
• Term "Outsider Art" coined by art critic Roger Cardinal in 1972 as an English synonym for "Art Brut"
  • "Art Brut" (meaning "raw art") was a term created by French artist Jean Dubuffet to describe art made outside the boundaries of official culture
• Outsider Art has gained increasing recognition and appreciation in recent decades, with dedicated museums, galleries, and exhibitions showcasing these unique works

Origins and Early Days

• Outsider Art has its roots in the early 20th century, with the recognition of artworks created by individuals on the margins of society
• The concept of Art Brut, which later evolved into Outsider Art, was first introduced by French artist Jean Dubuffet in the 1940s
  • Dubuffet was fascinated by the raw, unconventional art created by patients in psychiatric hospitals, prisoners, and other untrained individuals
• Early examples of Outsider Art include the works of Adolf Wölfli, a Swiss artist who spent most of his life in psychiatric institutions
  • Wölfli created intricate, densely composed drawings and collages that combined autobiographical elements, fictional narratives, and musical compositions
• Other early Outsider Artists include Madge Gill, a British medium who created intricate ink drawings guided by her spirit guide, and Henry Darger, an American artist who created a vast fantasy world in his artwork and writings
• The early days of Outsider Art were marked by a growing interest in the creative expressions of individuals outside the mainstream art world
  • Collectors, artists, and psychiatrists began to recognize the value and significance of these unconventional works
• The first major exhibition of Art Brut was held in 1949 at the Galerie René Drouin in Paris, curated by Jean Dubuffet
  • This exhibition helped to establish Art Brut as a distinct category of art and paved the way for the broader recognition of Outsider Art

Major Players and Their Weird Stuff

• Henry Darger (1892-1973): American artist known for his epic fantasy novel "In the Realms of the Unreal" and accompanying illustrations depicting a vast imaginary world
  • Darger's artwork features intricate, panoramic battle scenes between good and evil, often involving child-like figures called the "Vivian Girls"
• Martín Ramírez (1895-1963): Mexican-American artist who created intricate, large-scale drawings while confined in psychiatric hospitals for most of his adult life
  • Ramírez's works often feature repeating patterns, religious iconography, and images of trains and tunnels
• Adolf Wölfli (1864-1930): Swiss artist who spent most of his life in psychiatric institutions, creating a vast body of work including drawings, collages, and musical compositions
  • Wölfli's works are characterized by dense, intricate compositions that combine autobiographical elements, fictional narratives, and invented languages
• Madge Gill (1882-1961): British artist and spiritual medium who created intricate ink drawings guided by her spirit guide, "Myrninerest"
  • Gill's drawings often feature repetitive patterns, architectural elements, and female figures with large, staring eyes
• Howard Finster (1916-2001): American artist and Baptist minister who created a visionary art environment called "Paradise Garden" in Georgia
  • Finster's artwork includes paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media assemblages that combine religious themes, pop culture references, and personal visions

Themes and Styles That Stand Out

• Outsider Art often features highly personal, idiosyncratic themes and styles that reflect the artist's unique worldview and experiences
• Common themes in Outsider Art include:
  • Religious or spiritual imagery, often reflecting the artist's personal beliefs or visions
  • Autobiographical elements, such as memories, dreams, or personal struggles
  • Fantasy worlds or imaginary realms, populated by invented characters and narratives
  • Social or political commentary, often expressed through allegorical or symbolic imagery
• Outsider Art is characterized by a raw, unpolished aesthetic that often disregards traditional artistic conventions
  • Works may feature unconventional materials, such as found objects, recycled materials, or unusual painting surfaces
  • Techniques may be self-taught or invented, resulting in unique visual effects and textures
• Repetition and patterning are common stylistic elements in Outsider Art
  • Artists may obsessively repeat certain motifs, shapes, or symbols throughout their work
  • Intricate, dense compositions are often built up through the layering and accumulation of these repeated elements
• Outsider Art often has a sense of urgency or compulsion, as if the artist is driven by an inner necessity to create
  • Works may be created in intense, prolonged bursts of activity, sometimes resulting in large bodies of work

How It's Different from "Regular" Art

• Outsider Art is created by self-taught artists who are not part of the mainstream art world or art education system
  • In contrast, "regular" art is typically created by professionally trained artists who are part of the established art world
• Outsider Artists often create art for personal reasons, such as self-expression, therapy, or spiritual fulfillment
  • "Regular" artists may create art for a variety of reasons, including commercial success, critical recognition, or artistic exploration
• Outsider Art is characterized by a raw, unconventional aesthetic that often disregards traditional artistic rules and conventions
  • "Regular" art may adhere more closely to established artistic traditions, techniques, and styles
• Outsider Art often reflects the artist's unique worldview, experiences, and mental states, resulting in highly personal and idiosyncratic works
  • "Regular" art may be more influenced by art historical precedents, contemporary trends, or theoretical concerns
• The value and significance of Outsider Art lie primarily in its authenticity, originality, and the singular vision of the artist
  • "Regular" art may be valued for its technical skill, conceptual depth, or art historical importance
• Outsider Art is often "discovered" by collectors, curators, or art professionals, rather than being actively promoted by the artists themselves
  • "Regular" artists typically seek out opportunities to exhibit and promote their work through established channels, such as galleries, art fairs, or open studio events

Where to Find This Art

• Outsider Art can be found in a variety of settings, including dedicated museums, galleries, and exhibitions
• The American Folk Art Museum in New York City has a significant collection of Outsider Art and regularly features exhibitions of self-taught artists
  • The museum's Henry Darger Study Center is dedicated to the study and preservation of Darger's work
• The Outsider Art Fair, held annually in New York City and Paris, is a major international event showcasing works by self-taught artists from around the world
  • The fair features exhibitions by leading galleries and dealers specializing in Outsider Art
• Regional museums and galleries, such as the Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago or the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, focus on showcasing the work of self-taught and visionary artists
• Some Outsider Artists have created large-scale art environments or installations that can be visited by the public
  • Examples include the Garden of Eden by Samuel P. Dinsmoor in Lucas, Kansas, and the Watts Towers by Simon Rodia in Los Angeles, California
• Online resources, such as the Raw Vision magazine website or the Outsider Art website, provide information, articles, and galleries of Outsider Art from around the world
  • These platforms help to increase the visibility and accessibility of Outsider Art for a global audience
• Private collections and galleries specializing in self-taught art are another important source of Outsider Art
  • Collectors and dealers play a crucial role in discovering, preserving, and promoting the work of Outsider Artists

Impact on Mainstream Culture

• Outsider Art has had a significant impact on mainstream culture, influencing the work of contemporary artists, designers, and filmmakers
• The raw, unconventional aesthetic of Outsider Art has inspired many contemporary artists to embrace a more spontaneous, intuitive approach to art-making
  • Artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Cindy Sherman have drawn inspiration from the work of Outsider Artists
• Outsider Art has also influenced the fields of graphic design, illustration, and advertising
  • The bold, graphic style and unconventional imagery of Outsider Art have been adapted for use in product packaging, album covers, and promotional materials
• The stories and lives of Outsider Artists have been the subject of numerous documentaries, films, and literary works
  • The 2000 film "In the Realms of the Unreal" explores the life and work of Henry Darger, while the 2014 film "Forrest Bess: Key to the Riddle" examines the enigmatic Texas artist
• Outsider Art has contributed to a broader appreciation and understanding of the value of self-taught and marginalized artists
  • The success of Outsider Art has helped to challenge traditional notions of what constitutes "art" and who can be considered an "artist"
• The influence of Outsider Art can be seen in the growing popularity of "folk art," "visionary art," and other forms of art that prioritize individual expression over formal training or artistic conventions
  • This shift has helped to create a more inclusive and diverse art world, one that recognizes the contributions of artists from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences

Current Trends and Future of Outsider Art

• Outsider Art continues to gain recognition and appreciation in the contemporary art world
• There is a growing interest in the work of self-taught artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, including African American, Latino, and Indigenous artists
  • Exhibitions and publications are increasingly showcasing the work of these previously underrepresented artists
• The boundaries between Outsider Art and mainstream contemporary art are becoming increasingly blurred
  • Many contemporary artists are embracing the raw, intuitive approach of Outsider Art, while some Outsider Artists are gaining recognition within the mainstream art world
• The rise of social media and online platforms has made it easier for Outsider Artists to share their work with a global audience
  • Websites like Instagram and Facebook have become important tools for discovering and promoting the work of self-taught artists
• There is a growing interest in the preservation and study of Outsider Art environments and installations
  • Organizations like SPACES (Saving and Preserving Arts and Cultural Environments) work to document and protect these unique art sites
• The market for Outsider Art continues to grow, with increasing demand from collectors and institutions
  • Major auction houses, such as Christie's and Sotheby's, now regularly feature Outsider Art in their sales, helping to establish the value and significance of these works
• As the field of Outsider Art continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see a greater diversity of voices and perspectives represented
  • The future of Outsider Art lies in its ability to challenge and expand our understanding of what art can be and who can create it