🎨Outsider Art Unit 10 – Outsider Art: Collection & Exhibition Issues

What is Outsider Art?

• Term coined by art critic Roger Cardinal in 1972 to describe art created outside the boundaries of official culture
• Refers to self-taught or naïve art makers who are not part of the artistic establishment
• Includes artists with mental illness, disabilities, or who are otherwise marginalized (prisoners, recluses, the elderly)
• Often characterized by unique and idiosyncratic styles, techniques, and subject matter
• Created without the intention of following artistic norms or gaining recognition from the art world
• Examples include Henry Darger's elaborate fantasy worlds and Madge Gill's mediumistic drawings

Historical Context and Origins

• Roots in the early 20th-century interest in art of the mentally ill and children
• Influenced by the Surrealist movement's fascination with the unconscious and automatic drawing
• Jean Dubuffet's concept of Art Brut (raw art) in the 1940s laid the foundation for Outsider Art
  • Dubuffet collected works by psychiatric patients and other marginalized individuals
  • Emphasized the raw, unfiltered creativity of these artists
• Parallel development in the United States with folk art and self-taught artists
  • Grandma Moses and Horace Pippin gained recognition in the 1930s and 1940s
• Increased interest and scholarship in Outsider Art from the 1970s onward

Key Artists and Works

• Henry Darger (1892-1973): American artist known for his epic fantasy novel "In the Realms of the Unreal" and accompanying illustrations
  • Discovered after his death, his works reveal a complex imaginary world
• Madge Gill (1882-1961): British mediumistic artist who created intricate ink drawings guided by a spirit she called "Myrninerest"
• 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
• Martín Ramírez (1895-1963): Mexican-American artist who created intricate drawings while confined in psychiatric hospitals
  • Known for his repeated motifs of trains, horsemen, and Madonnas
• Judith Scott (1943-2005): American fiber artist with Down syndrome who created intricate wrapped and woven sculptures

Characteristics of Outsider Art

• Highly individualistic and idiosyncratic styles that do not conform to traditional artistic norms
• Often self-taught with little or no formal art training
• Use of unconventional materials and techniques (found objects, recycled materials, unusual supports)
• Frequently driven by inner compulsions or visions rather than external influences
• Themes may include personal experiences, fantasy worlds, religious or spiritual beliefs, and social commentary
• Lack of concern for commercial success or critical recognition
• Raw, unfiltered expression of creativity without self-censorship

Collection Challenges and Strategies

• Discovering and identifying Outsider Art can be difficult due to artists' marginalized status and lack of connection to the art world
• Provenance and authenticity may be hard to establish, as many works are not well-documented
• Condition issues arise from the use of unconventional materials and lack of professional storage
  • Works may require specialized conservation and preservation techniques
• Developing relationships with artists, their families, and communities is crucial for ethical collecting
• Collaborating with mental health professionals, social workers, and other experts can help navigate sensitive situations
• Creating a network of collectors, dealers, and institutions dedicated to Outsider Art can facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources

Exhibition Considerations

• Presenting Outsider Art in a respectful and sensitive manner that does not exploit or stigmatize the artists
• Providing context about the artists' lives and circumstances without sensationalizing their stories
• Balancing the need for interpretation with allowing the works to speak for themselves
• Addressing accessibility issues for artists with disabilities or mental illness
  • Ensuring they can participate in and benefit from exhibitions of their work
• Collaborating with artists' communities and advocating for their interests
• Developing educational programs and outreach initiatives to promote understanding and appreciation of Outsider Art

Ethical Issues in Displaying Outsider Art

• Avoiding the romanticization or fetishization of mental illness, disability, or marginalization
• Ensuring that artists or their estates are fairly compensated for their work
• Respecting the artists' autonomy and right to privacy
  • Obtaining informed consent for the display and interpretation of their work
• Addressing issues of cultural appropriation and the power dynamics between collectors, institutions, and marginalized artists
• Considering the potential impact of exhibitions on the artists' lives and communities
• Maintaining the integrity of the artists' visions and intentions in the presentation of their work

Impact and Influence on Mainstream Art

• Outsider Art has challenged traditional notions of artistic genius, creativity, and the role of formal training
• Has inspired mainstream artists to explore new forms of expression and to embrace unconventional materials and techniques
  • Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring drew inspiration from graffiti and street art
  • David Byrne and Cindy Sherman have incorporated elements of Outsider Art in their work
• Outsider Art has contributed to the erosion of boundaries between "high" and "low" art
• Has expanded the definition of what constitutes art and who can be considered an artist
• Increased recognition and appreciation for the creativity and contributions of marginalized individuals
• Influenced the development of art therapy and the use of artistic expression in mental health treatment