OUTSIDER ART:
In 1972, the term "outsider art" was used by the scholar Roger Cardinal to serve as an English equivalent to Art Brut. Similar to Dubuffet's definition, Cardinal described "outsider artists" as being self-taught and unfamiliar with the mainstream art world.
The following are general characteristics of what is termed "outsider art."
-Made by individuals who lack formal art training
-Use of non-traditional materials in the art
-Created outside the artistic mainstream
-Shaped by the artist's personal vision and definitions
-Created out of impulse, obsession, or religious inspiration
-Created for the self and not necessarily for an audience
The term "outsider art" does not necessarily refer to any individual without training. However, it can be viewed as an umbrella term that encompasses self-taught artists, folk artists and visionary artists.
The following are general characteristics of what is termed "outsider art."
-Made by individuals who lack formal art training
-Use of non-traditional materials in the art
-Created outside the artistic mainstream
-Shaped by the artist's personal vision and definitions
-Created out of impulse, obsession, or religious inspiration
-Created for the self and not necessarily for an audience
The term "outsider art" does not necessarily refer to any individual without training. However, it can be viewed as an umbrella term that encompasses self-taught artists, folk artists and visionary artists.
(Intuit www.art.org)
Interview with Amanda Curtis
On Wednesday October 29th, I conducted an interned interview with Amanda Curtis. Curtis is the Education Director at Intuit. Intuit is Chicago's center for Intuitive and Outsider Art.
Jessica: What is Intuit Gallery?
Amanda: Intuit is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1991. Our mission is to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of intuitive and outsider art through a program of education, collection, publication and exhibition.
Jessica: What does the name Intuit mean?
Amanda: Founding member of Intuit and artist, Roger Brown, came up with the name "Intuit" based on the term intuitive art, which is used to describe artwork created by individuals without formal art training.
Jessica: How do you define Outsider Art?
Amanda: Intuit defines "Intuitive and Outsider Art" as work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art worlds and who seem instead motivated by their unique personal visions.
(Amanda attached a link to see more detailed descriptions of Outsider Art, Folk Art, Self Taught and Naive Art which will be placed in blog)
Jessica: I know Intuit is a non-profit organization...what does that mean?
Amanda: That we exhibit outsider art in order to educate and promote awareness. We do not sell any art. We are here to educate about this area of art.
Jessica: Is it difficult to get money to fund this gallery?
Amanda: We consistently receive grants from foundations, such as Polk Bros. Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Houlsby Foundation, etc.
Most grants are for general operating expenses and education (Teacher Fellowship, school outreach).
We also have a membership base of approximately 700 members. However, we are always in search of other grants and funding sources, since we are a non-profit.
Jessica: When did you get involved with Intuit?
Amanda: 3 years ago.
Jessica: Please describe your job title and what your position entails.
Amanda: The Education Director organizes public and outreach education programs, including the Teacher Fellowship Program. The position interacts with the CPS and teachers, as well as organizes special education events.
Jessica: What was your focus in college?
Amanda: I have an academic background in art history and work experience in higher education and visual arts.
Jessica: What drew you to Intuit?
Amanda: I had worked in other areas of the art industry, and found Intuit quite interesting and different than any other area. It seemed more approachable to all income levels. It challenged my ideas of what art is.
I am also very interested in visionary art environments, such as Evermor and Fred Smith's park in Wisconsin. I like the use of non-traditional materials in art, which are widely used by self-taught and outsider artists. (As a side note: this aspect of outsider art makes it great for teachers and students to explore. The accessibility to materials inspires students, rather than intimidate)
Jessica: What are the most exciting and most difficult aspects of your position?
Amanda: I love working with the teachers and students through our Teacher Fellowship Program. I love presenting workshops. The difficulty likes in having enough time to maintain an organizational structure. We are a staff of three full time staff members and two part time staff members. We each operate as a department (some of us are multiple departments) without the support staff. My job basically encompasses the following areas: public programs, special programs, some grant writing, clerical, etc. My work gets done, but it can be stressful. It is always worth the effort.
Jessica: Do you get to work closely with the Intuitive and Outsider artists?
Amanda: I do when we conduct workshops and artist panels. Artists also come for their openings when possible, such as Ken Grimes.
Jessica: Can you please give an example of an artist you have worked with at Intuit?
Amanda: We have worked with artist David Philpot during our Teacher Fellowship training sessions. David is a great educator and has worked with many schools. David hosts a workshop called "Embellished Staffs" which teaches teachers and students how to use discarded objects to create art work. David creates elaborate carved staffs.
Jessica: What do you think of the title: Outsider Art?
Amanda: This term has become quite controversial in the past few years. Originally, the term worked as the English equivalent of Art Brut. It was coming from an academic perspective (Roger Cardinal-see Outsider Art 101). I think it was the best term at the time, and the scholars in our field are working to redefine terms.
It serves as an umbrella term, but there are so many categories that fall under it. For example, David Philpot is a self-taught artist, but he is part of the mainstream: he has an art dealer, his work is in museums, etc. He functions in society and plays an active role. Yet, David did not start creating with an audience in mind. He was motivated by an inner drive.
Outsider art also encompasses work being created by individuals in therapy programs at hospitals or programs such as Creative Growth. They are creating art outside of the mainstream art world, and usually it is coming from within and not from external influences. To call an artist like David Philpot or Kevin Sampson or Mr. Imagination an outsider artist may be problematic. They did not attend art school, but they are influenced by the mainstream.
Jessica: Do you have any experience working with Outsider Artists who are mentally ill?
Amanda: Some. We often collaborate with local organizations to present programs about artists with disabilities to promote awareness.
Jessica: What are your thoughts on the mentally ill artists who are discovered as Outsider Artists and have their work put on display and sold? Do you think the art dealer is taking advantage of the artist? Do you think the artwork should be displayed?
Amanda: I do not get involved with the sale of this artwork. However, the dealers that I know personally are very careful not to exploit artists. I think all individuals have an inherent desire to share-the act of creation is an act of communication...for example, artist Judith Scott of Creative Growth.
Jessica: Are there any outsider artists that have been later discovered to be trained artists? If so, what happened?
Amanda: No. In some cases, the artist has gone to school for a subject other than art, but this was known at the time of his/her discovery. For example, the individual may have studied Science, but never received any formal training in art.
Jessica: If not, what do you think would happen to that artist or art dealer who discovered them?
Amanda: I am not sure. I think most people are pretty honest in this field. It would be pretty difficult to manufacture an outsider artist. We do receive submissions from artists who claim to be outsiders-but we research such claims. There is a scholarship behind this field that prevents such occurrences. Most individuals involved with this area, work very hard to ensure its legitimacy and integrity.
Jessica: Can children fall into the category of Outsider Art?
Amanda: Viewers may make assumptions and say "my child could paint that", but they are overlooking the meaning of it. It's the same way people responding to some modern (trained) art say, "I could paint that white square". They are negating the meaning of it and so on.
Jessica: In general, How do Intuit visitors react to the artists displayed?
Amanda: the work displayed at Intuit receives a positive response overall. Most visitors state that the work challenges their ideas of what art is, for example our current exhibition on thrift store paintings. Various questions arise: Is this art? Where they intended to be art? As a curated collection, they could be art, etc.
They are also often amazed at the fact that many of the artists featured would have created their work regardless of a public audience. Such as, artist Henry Darger, who created a 15, 000 single spaced typewritten novel with 300 watercolor illustrations, which no one saw until after he moved out to go to a nursing home.
Jessica: Thank you so much Amanda!
