Art from the Margins: The Unstoppable Outsider Art Evolution
Art from the Margins: The Unstoppable Outsider Art Evolution
A Tribute to the Outsider Boldest Art Scene. The Raw, Inventive Works from Self-taught Artists.
As an art lover, I've always been fascinated by the unique world of Outsider Art.
This artistic movement, which has its roots in Europe, has captured the imagination of art lovers and scholars alike, offering a glimpse into the creative expressions of individuals who exist on the margins of society.
Outsider Art, also known as Art Brut, is characterized by the work of self-taught artists who are often mentally or psychologically handicapped, living on the fringes of cultural life. These artists create art driven by their own inner compulsions, unaffected by the mainstream art world and its conventions. Their work is marked by an abundance of inventiveness, incessant imagination, and a raw, unconventional artistic language that speaks directly to the human experience.
The origins of Outsider Art can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the works of patients in European psychiatric hospitals began to capture the attention of artists and intellectuals. Figures like Swiss psychiatrist Walter Morgenthaler and German psychiatrist and art historian Hans Prinzhorn were instrumental in bringing these works to the forefront, recognizing their artistic merit beyond their medical context.
One of the key figures in the development of Outsider Art was the French artist and art theorist Jean Dubuffet.
In the mid-1940s, Dubuffet became a passionate advocate for this "extra-cultural art," coining the term "Art Brut" and amassing an extensive collection of works by these self-taught artists. His tireless efforts helped to establish Outsider Art as a distinct and influential artistic movement, inspiring generations of artists and art enthusiasts.
Today, the Outsider Art scene in continues to thrive, with a growing number of museums, galleries, and organizations dedicated to the preservation and promotion of this unique artistic expression.
From the Musee de l'Art Differencie (MAD musee) in Belgium to the Collection de L'Art Brut in Switzerland and the House of Artists (Gallery Gugging) in Austria, or Museum Ovartaci in Aarhus, Denmark, these institutions serve as hubs for the discovery, exhibition, and study of Outsider Art.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Outsider Art is its ability to challenge and expand our understanding of what constitutes art.
These artists, often working in isolation and without formal training, have created works that defy traditional artistic conventions, offering a raw and unfiltered perspective on the human experience.
Their art has had a profound influence on the development of modern and contemporary art, inspiring artists from the Surrealists to the present day.
These days, I am continually amazed by the world of Outsider Art and the depth and diversity of the works being produced.
Here are 9 contemporary Outsider artists I got fascinated by, whose work I find captivating and inspiring:
Judith Scott (1943-2005, American artist who lived in Europe): Judith Scott created intricate fiber sculptures that have been exhibited at the Collection de L'Art Brut in Switzerland and the Whitechapel Gallery in London.
Untitled, Judit Scott. Source: WikiArt 
Untitled, Judit Scott. Source: WikiArt Guo Fengyi (1942-2010, Chinese artist who lived in Europe): Guo Fengyi created visionary drawings depicting the human body and the cosmos, which have been shown at the Outsider Art Fair in Paris and the Museum of Everything in London.
Guo Fengyi, detail of Laojun (Elderly Lord) (2007). © Guo Fengyi Miriam Cahn (b. 1949, Swiss artist): Miriam Cahn's feminist-inspired art addresses past and present genocidal wars, human habitat destruction, and mass displacement. Her work will be showcased in a major exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in 2024-2025.
More details Miriam Cahn, untitled 10 May 2012, 2012, pastel and charcoal on paper, 39 x 23 cm. Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw Collection. Source: Wikipedia Aloïse Corbaz (1886-1964, Swiss artist): Aloïse Corbaz created intricate drawings and paintings while institutionalized. Her work is held in the Collection de L'Art Brut and has been exhibited internationally.
Two works: L'Auto en couronne, Aloïse Corbaz, circa 1964 Source: MutualArt Vera Girivi (b. 1988, Italian artist): Vera Girivi's modest canvases mostly depict nude women, with influences from artists like Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, and Paul Cézanne.
VERA GIRIVI Untitled, 2021, Source: Anna Zorina Gallery Kambel Smith (b. 1992, American artist with autism): Kambel Smith creates scaled-down models of famous Philadelphia buildings and landmarks, using materials like cardboard, foamboard, and paint.
Kambel Smith New York Flat Iron Building, 2020, Source: Fleisher Ollman Gallery Johann Fischer (1919-2008, Austrian artist): Johann Fischer created intricate and captivating narrative paintings that offer a unique window into his creative mind.
The First Soccer Team, 1993, Johann Fischer, Source: Anthony Petullo Art Collection Nek Chand (1924-2015, Indian artist): Nek Chand was known for his intricate and visionary environments, which have been exhibited in Europe and around the world.
Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Nek Chand, Source: Artsy 
Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Nek Chand, Source: Cfile Capsule 
Rock Garden of Chandigarh, Neck Chand, Source: Artsy Alpo Koivumäki (1942-2010, Finnish artist): Alpo Koivumäki was a creator of outsider environments, whose work has been featured in exhibitions across the Nordic countries and beyond.
Safari Park, Alpo Koivumäki, Source: Atlas Obscura
.jpg){kind=link}
Outsider Art gives us a raw and moving look at the human experience, free from the usual rules of formal art education. It’s proof of the incredible creativity and spirit of individuals who, despite being on the margins, have made a huge impact on the art world.
Outsider Art, ironically, means inclusiveness.
It means we are all artists.
It means that we can be better, that we can be healthier, that we can be more centered when we project our souls into a work of art.
Until next time, by any art necessary.