Introduction to Art Brut
Art is a language of emotions, ideas, and imagination. It communicates the human experience in diverse ways that reflect our world and our perception of it.
However, when the conventional academic and fine art traditions dominate the industry, the expression of the naive, raw, and unconventional voices is often muzzled or neglected. This is where Art Brut comes in, offering a space for free expression and a recognition of the unconventional and raw.
What is Art Brut? Art Brut, meaning “Raw Art” in French, is a term coined by French artist Jean Dubuffet in the 1940s to describe art that is not based on academic or fine art traditions.
Instead, it is created by individuals who lack formal artistic training or education and who operate outside the mainstream art world. Art Brut is also known as Outsider Art, Primitive Art, and Naive Art.
Art Brut artists are often people who suffer from mental or physical disabilities, children, or individuals who live in remote communities or mental institutions outside major cities. Art Brut reflects a spontaneous, unfiltered, and intuitive expression of life experiences, emotions, and visions.
Although Art Brut may not conform to traditional artistic principles, it has gained a following because of its honesty and its lack of inhibition.
Jean Dubuffet and Art Brut
Jean Dubuffet was a French artist and thinker who pioneered the Art Brut movement, placing value on artists who were struggling to break free from the constraints of the art industry. He believed that conventional art was too often influenced by established styles and norms, and that the restrictive culture stifled artistic freedom.
Dubuffet was inspired by the unfiltered voices of people who created art outside of academic traditions. He recognized that spontaneous artistic expression was key to unlocking a fresh perspective in modern art.
Dubuffet believed that Art Brut was a more authentic reflection of the human experience. He championed the idea of free and spontaneous expression in art-making.
He saw the value of emotions and visions that did not necessarily conform to the norms of conventional art. His ideas and actions enabled voices that had been previously silenced to gain recognition.
Dubuffet’s inspiration fueled an energy that challenged the art industrys conventions and expectations. His unique vision in promoting Art Brut sparked the consciousness of contemporary art, giving rise to new possibilities in art creation.
Success and Recognition of Outsider Art
Outsider Art has made a huge impact on the art world. Its raw intensity and unconventional beauty have captured the world’s attention for decades.
Despite being ignored by mainstream art critics for many decades, Outsider Art began to gain popularity with the publication of journals like Raw Vision and the Outsider Art Fair in New York City. The Lille Museum of Modern Art created the world’s first Outsider Art museum and has held many exhibitions that showcase the work of Art Brut artists.
Outsider Art has evolved into a global movement that celebrates diverse expressions, styles, and visions of people who were once overlooked. The genre has reached a state of commercial recognition and respect, and is now a legitimate part of the art industry.
Current Influence of Art Brut
The current influence of Art Brut is evident in contemporary art creation and exhibition. Many contemporary artists have found inspiration in Art Brut’s use of unfiltered, personal experiences as a critical part of their creative process.
They strive to create art without constraints, creating artworks that are unique and often unconventional. The raw style of Art Brut is also evident in current design trends.
The use of unconventional materials and creative approaches challenge the notion of what is considered acceptable in art-making. Raw and spontaneous expression is now considered an important way to capture life’s complex experiences.
Conclusion
Art Brut has contributed a unique perspective in the world of art. It has opened the doors to the naive, raw, and unconventional voices that were once silenced or ignored.
Its diversity and spontaneous approach have inspired contemporary artists, designers, and innovators to express themselves creatively and authentically. Art Brut will continue to challenge traditional fine art conventions and continue to evolve into a global movement with further artistic success that will offer the world alternative voices in art.
Art of the Mentally Ill, Children, and Peasantry
Outsider Art, Art Brut or Raw Art has been a platform for the underrepresented voices of those with limited access to formalized art education and resources. The genre makes way for voices beyond the academic and fine art traditions.
Today, Outsider Art is not only recognized and respected but has also found a secure place in the mainstream art world. The Art Brut’s appeal is rooted in the uninhibited expression and imaginative representation that stems from the unconventional viewpoints of artists.
Art of the mentally ill, children and peasantry is some of the groups that have contributed to Outsider Art’s vast collection.
Interest in Outsider Art Before Dubuffet
The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought about an interest in art of the mentally ill, children’s art, and folk art. Artists in the pre-cursors of Art Brut, like the Der Blaue Reiter group, valued the expressive quality of these art forms.
They admired the primitivity and the uninhibited nature of the art as a response to the societal values of that time. Children’s art became an art form during the 19th century with schools and institutions that taught techniques and encouraged children to draw and paint.
However, before the establishment of formal art training and techniques, children created art from an entirely different perspective and imagination. The child artist’s mind was not prejudiced by any knowledge of conventional representation, nor limited by technicality, allowing for free and imaginative expression.
Similarly, folk art was created by peasants, who were excluded from formalized art education systems and created art out of necessity, tradition, and daily life. The art form included elements of cultural diversity, crafted from imagination and influenced by the idyllic rural settings they inhabited.
Inspiration for Art Brut
The inspiration for Art Brut stems from the uninhibited mental states of those experiencing extreme states of mind, such as the mentally ill. The crude imagery and unsophistication in their work acutely represents their unfiltered thoughts and pure expressions that often dissolve stigma around mental illness.
Aside from the mentally ill, eccentric visionaries and quirky individuals also contributed
to Art Brut. These artists bring forth unusual and curious ideas that mainstream art would not typically adopt.
Outsider art allows the quirkiness of these creative minds to be featured without the inhibiting facts of the status quo. Jean Dubuffet and His Contribution
to Art Brut
Jean Dubuffet, a French artist, and thinker, had a great impact on Art Brut.
He was one of the pioneers of the movement and is attributed to its current recognition and acceptance. Dubuffet saw the value of personal, spontaneous expressions, and free expression in art creation, and how they could challenge the rigidity of society’s norms.
Dubuffet spoke out against the academic training in art, calling for a bypass of the conventional rules that limit artistic expression and opting for uninhibited expressions free from the restrictions of mainstream art. He encouraged the industry to push boundaries and bring forth alternative philosophical perspectives.
Dubuffet’s Notable Artworks
Dubuffet’s work garnered acclaim from art lovers who fell in love with his unique style. He had an extensive collection of works, some of which consist of the original Art Brut, in the La Collection de l’Art Brut Museum.
This museum holds a range of unique works created by unconventionally trained artists, capturing the essence of the Art Brut movement. Some of Dubuffet’s artworks include Skedaddle, a painting with bold shapes and colors that represent the simplicity of the abstract imagination.
Furthermore, his L’Hourloupe series is a unique but complex walk-through installation that features sharp angles, doodled lines, and spiraling patterns which come together in a visually stimulating representation of the unconventional.
Conclusion
Outsider Art has been a catalyst in the evolving art industry. It puts forward the unrestricted and raw points of view that have been hindered by fine art conventions.
The art of the mentally ill, children, and peasantry reflects the diversity and innovation of raw art that has contributed to its unique appeal. Jean Dubuffet’s contribution acts as a benchmark in the Art Brut movement’s history, with his impact being so great it continues to influence artistic creativity to this day.
The unconventional minds that contribute towards the Art Brut movement have elevated the art world by challenging the conventional boundaries of the industrythe movement a true celebration of free expression and diversity.
Famous Art Brut Artists and Artworks
Art Brut has grown in popularity over the years, thanks to the numerous artists who expressed themselves in unconventional, raw, and uninhibited ways. The genre celebrates distinctive perspectives beyond the mainstream status quo.
The works of Art Brut artists exude personality, as the artists create from unconventional backgrounds and with limited or no formal training. As Art Brut evolved, notable artists like
Henri Rousseau,
Alfred Wallis,
Grandma Moses, and
Niko Pirosmani emerged, leaving an indelible mark on the art industry.
Henri Rousseau
Henri Rousseau was a French painter who was part of the naive art and primitive art movements. Rousseau was a self-taught artist whose unique compositions and amateurish method garnered attention.
He had a flat perspective, with unusual colors in his artworks, making them readily distinguishable from typical academic art. Rousseau’s works include The Dream, a bizarre composition that features exotic plants and animals, with a woman lying next to a lion in the center of the piece.
Alfred Wallis
Alfred Wallis was a self-taught artist who began painting in his later years. His works, which revolved around seascapes and shipping scenes, were created in an expressive manner with multiple perspectives.
Wallis developed a unique positioning method in his art, painting ships in the middle of the sea and sometimes even from an aerial viewpoint. Houses at St Ives, Cornwall, is a classic example of Wallis’s style and approach.
Grandma Moses
Grandma Moses was an American folk artist who started painting late in life. Her works are characterized by a joyful, nostalgic, and folk style that depicts every day life.
Her paintings typically featured busy scenes of outdoor activities like fishing, farming, and horse riding. Sugaring Off, one of her popular paintings, depicts a scenic view of outdoor activities portraying farming and maple syrup collection in the hills of upstate New York.
Niko Pirosmani
Niko Pirosmani was a Georgian painter who expressed himself in Art Brut style. He was a self-taught artist who used a neutral color palette with cheap materials.
His works feature portraits in his multi-focal style. Portrait of Ilya Zdanevich stands out as one of his most remarkable works, featuring the subject and an array of attributes like books, flowers, and cups.
Conclusion
Art Brut showcases the raw and uninhibited side of art, providing a platform for expressions beyond the mainstream artistic conventions. Artists like
Henri Rousseau,
Alfred Wallis,
Grandma Moses, and
Niko Pirosmani brought forth an exciting style, unique techniques, and distinct expressions.
These artists’ contributions have helped to elevate the Art Brut movement, inspiring more artists to express themselves creatively. The appreciation for Art Brut artists, although not instant, continues to grow and gain popularity in the art industry.
The world of Art Brut has opened doors for voices once silenced or overlooked in the art industry. This genre celebrates the raw, uninhibited expressions of artists from diverse backgrounds, including the mentally ill, children, and peasants.
The influence of Art Brut is evident in the works of famous artists like
Henri Rousseau,
Alfred Wallis,
Grandma Moses, and
Niko Pirosmani, who have brought unique styles, unconventional techniques, and distinct perspectives to the forefront. These artists have challenged the norms of the art industry, inspiring others to embrace free expression and explore unconventional paths.
Art Brut reminds us of the power of unfiltered creativity and the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the art world.