Movement Outsider Art

The term 'Outsider Art' was coined by Professor Roger Cardinal in 1972, who wanted an English term for “Art Brut," a French term literally meaning “raw art." This movement was initially named by French artist, Jean Dubuffet, who sought to describe a genre of art that explored polarised mental states, unorthodox ideas and illusions. Outsider art incorporates works created by artists without formal training, and who reject traditional artistic techniques. It is also heavily associated with children, mentally troubled artists who suffer with psychiatric disorders, socially reclusive individuals and misfits.

Jean Dubuffet was inspired by Prinzhorn's 1921 book Bildnerei de Geisteskranken (Artistry of the Mentally ill) which included thousands of artworks by mentally ill patients. This influenced Dubuffet to collect his own selection of mentally ill-inspired art, and unlike Prinhorn's book, Dubuffet's selection also included works by social hermits and outsiders; celebrating the individuals forgotten by society.

The surge in interest for Outsider Art grew from an increasing resentment towards the art world and extreme political ideologies. Artists during this period experienced and watched the atrocity caused by the World Wars, where false promises for a “better" quality of life shrouded these years. Additionally, basic human rights were widely disregarded during the war years, with barbaric and catastrophic philosophies such as Eugenics coming into practice. Artists sought to redefine and celebrate the individuals otherwise disregarded by society, honouring their supposed flaws and differences. The Outsider artists created a new way of seeing the humans failed by the war years.

There isn't a particular style associated with Outsider art, other than often fantastical depictions created by artists without formal training. In addition to this, artists do not usually refer to themselves as “Outsider Artists," it is a label usually given to the artist posthumously.

In contemporary art, Outsider art continues to be explored today with festivals like The Outsider Art Fair which is dedicated to the movement. The Outsider Art Fair is an international exhibition that features artists associated with Outsider Art, and occurs in New York and Paris each year.

Adolf Wölfli: (1864–1930), Swiss artist Wölfi, spent a large proportion of his adult life in a psychiatric hospital. It was during his institutionalisation that he created most of his drawings and musical compositions.

Jean Philippe Arthur Dubuffet: (1901 –1985) French painter and sculptor, Dubuffet founded the Outsider Art movement and embraced unconventional aesthetics and “low" art.

Scottie Wilson: (1888 – 1972), known for his intricately detailed works, Wilson is considered the spearhead of the Outsider Art movement during the 20th century. His works were collected by both Jean Dubuffet and Pablo Picasso.

Auguste Forestier: French sculptor and artist, Forestier was also confined to a psychiatric hospital for a number of years.

Celebrate the misfits marginalised by society, with their works that evoke a wonder only found in childhood. Explore our Outsider Art-inspired artists on Artsper now, through the works of Hector Peper, Jazzu and Joi Murugavell.

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Movement Outsider Art

N°28

Someone Never There

Untitled

Mudra Man

Looking for a Better World 1

Untitled

Big gathering

Pistolet Suisse

Flowers and faces

Ellipsism - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Miniature, Emotions, Colors

Tacenda - 21st Century, Contemporary, Abstract, Miniature, Emotions, Colourful

Malgré - sculpture

La corde á danser

Le cordon rouge

All about love

A good monster (4 pieces)

Land 2

Téthys mere géants mythologie couleur femme

Trust Me

Le pneu

Sans titre

Apocalypse 2

Disco duro

Anonimo pank

C'est écrit !

S'auras tu vivre le plus mauvais (Diptyque)

Eros et Thanatos au bistro

Reflections of Autumn

Composition

Composition

Comedy Man

Land 3

Sans titre

Sans titre

Sans titre

King Salomon

Dag Sacrifice

New York 65

Love girl shadow

Skull Taipei

Sans titre

Le nu assis

Jazz

Le combat amoureux

Portrait de la femme en noir1988 Woman in Black

The Floral Lady

Stay Fresh

Dog house

Reveil matin

Gotham city

King Pleasure

Woman, With My Eyes Closed

Masque rond

L'homme très heureux

Le souper d'Hécate

Archéologie des mémoires d'un faune

L'éveil du serpent à plumes

Femme au couteau

Pow ! Crime Time

Le bateau de pêche

Ovni Marsien

Aqua peinture I plexibox

Red Cloud in Repose

Memory of a Kiss

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Untitled (75)