outsider art

Options
abbadoodles
abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Having a long-standing interest in outsider art, I now and then do some net surfing to sites I've heard of or found through links from other sites.  I thought some others of you might share my appreciation for this untutored, exuberant art and would like to talk about it and share thoughts. 

Today, I found the American Visionary Art Museum's site.  Not much actual art there but they do have a strong and compelling statement on race, class and gender.  Food for thought.  http://www.avam.org/exhibitions/race.html

I first saw the art and heard the voice of Sister Gertrude Morgan while visiting New Orleans several years ago.  http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features/karlins/karlins4-9-04.asp

Does anyone else share my interest?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited July 2008

    Tina, I checked out the link, it's really cool. I wonder if they also incude sexual orientation and gender identity and expression-- I didn't see anything but I assume since they include other minorities they would be open to that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Amy, I don't think anyone is excluded from being an outsider. LOL 

    What draws you to this art?  I'm no art expert, know next to nothing about art history, but I find OA so vibrant.  Maybe it's because so many primaries are used because of lack of knowledge of color mixing?  Because it is so very personal and un-selfconscious?  Use of unexpected elements or media/substrates? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2008

    Tina,

    The art didn't grab me ... but the AVAM's statement on class, gender and race was (stealing your word) compelling.

    I will read it again tomorrow.

    Thanks for posting the link.

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    Bren, I know not everyone takes to outsider art.  Or any art, for that matter. 

    Here's a link to some OA for the Fourth of July.  http://www.art.org/permanent-collection/whawkins.htm

    Anybody found any exciting sites out there that they want to share?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2008

    Tina, thanks for this fascinating thread. Can you tell me more about OA? From the examples on the sites you posted I'd have labeled it primitive (but I know nothing about art criticism, obviously). Can you explain it for someone like me who's clueless but very attracted to it? One of the things I love is that the artist is so transparent in it -- much more like someone standing in front of me and speaking to me than other art is. I love that connection. You can almost hear his/her words hanging in the air.

    Anyhow, any information you can share will be appreciated. Thanks!

    Binney 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2008

    Hi Tina,

     I love the Impressionists and my favorite of all is Joaquin Sorolla, a Spanish painter called "The Painter of Light." While studying in college, however, my love was architecture.

    These are a few of Sorolla's paintings.  I fell in love with them when I saw his exhibit in San Diego.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited July 2008

    ab, if anyone was excluded from outsider art, I suppose that would make her a true outsider, LOL.

    What I like about it is that art is a universal way of expression that transcends language, even if there are those who don't like the particular artist.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited July 2008

    The women of Gee's Bend can be considered outsiders and their quilts can be considered art.  They just blow me away with their spirit.

    http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/

    Now, this is an interesting example of the genre.  What could he have been thinking?  I'm amazed.  http://www.interestingideas.com/out/capinn.htm

    Bren, those paintings are beautiful. So romantic.

    Amy, you bring up an interesting point: although our art is an extension of ourselves, it has a life of its own, apart from personality.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited July 2008

    I think by looking at someone's creativity you can see a window into their soul-- not necessarily in a concrete way, but more so in an abstract way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories