Outsider art

A term whose meaning is a bit vague because it has become a catchall description of artwork not based on tradition and not marketed traditionally through galleries or private dealers. Outsider Art was first used publicly as a description in 1972 by Britsh art writer Roger Cardinal in his book with that title. In this context, it is the equivalent of the French term "art brut", which means art of the insane. However, this description is subjective in that it often reflects the opinion of the viewer or critic and not necessarily a professional diagnosis. In the United States, Outsider Art is an umbrella term referencing artwork by creative persons outside the mainstream of society. This description includes prisoners and artists in psychiatric treatment and also includes folk art that is memory painting, meaning dreams or fantasy depictions by non-academically trained artists. Names included in the varying descriptions of Outsider Art include Martin Ramirez, Ike Morgan, Henry Darger, Steven Ashby, Joseph Yoakum and Ted Gordon. Sources: Chuck and Jan Rosenak, "Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia of Twentieth-Century American Folk Art and Artists; Christie&#39;s New York; Robert Atkins, "Art Speak". (LPD)<br><br>Strictly interpreted, outsider art refers to works by those outside of mainstream society. In the United States, outsider art broadly includes folk and ethnic art as well as by prisoners, the mentally ill, children, and others neither trained in art nor making their works to sell them. In Europe, outsider art is more narrowly interpreted as art by the mentally disturbed. The term naive art was once applied to this work, but is no longer considered current. Because fewer and fewer people are sufficiently isolated to be truly outsiders, most are either mentally ill or working far from urban art scenes.Also see art brut, artworld, folk art, and obsession.<br><br>Strictly interpreted, outsider art refers to works by those outside of mainstream society. In the United States, outsider art broadly includes folk and ethnic art as well as by prisoners, the mentally ill, children, and others neither trained in art nor making their works to sell them. In Europe, outsider art is more narrowly interpreted as art by the mentally disturbed. The term naive art was once applied to this work, but is no longer considered current. Because fewer and fewer people are sufficiently isolated to be truly outsiders, most are either mentally ill or working far from urban art scenes.Also see art brut, artworld, folk art, and obsession.