What is Outsider Art? | Christie's

'Outsider Art is a catch-all term,’ explains Christie’s specialist Cara Zimmerman. ‘It encompasses a lot of different types of art makers, but I tend to classify it as art made by people who weren’t working within the artistic establishment.’
In the United States, she says, the material stems from a folk-art tradition. Most Outsider artists received no formal training and were influenced by pop culture and the world around them rather than other mainstream artists.
In the modern world, says Zimmerman, ‘The idea of an artist removed from society doesn’t exist.’
In this video, the specialist looks at Critter by William Edmondson (1874-1951), whom she describes as possibly her ‘favourite artist of all’. Edmondson held two jobs for much of his adult life: from 1900 to 1907 he worked for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, and from around 1907 to 1931 he served as a janitor at the Nashville Women’s Hospital.
After he lost his job at the hospital, Edmondson decided to become a tombstone carver. ‘After a while he started to carve what he called his garden ornaments,’ says Zimmerman, looking over the skilled architectural carving on Critter. Remarkably, Edmonsdon became the first African-American artist to have a solo exhibition at the MoMA.
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[@marieljoed]

I love outsider art. Very pure. These are pure artists creating work because they have too with no regard to the gallery system ,fame and fortune

[@nyrsheaw.arcticcircleart4026]

Reading up on my great uncle, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, I was introduced to this phrase "outsider art" and for some reason it bothered me. I had to pick a topic for a research paper and I chose this. As an artist myself and being self-taught, I am fascinated by these artist and their struggles. It resonates with me. I love your enthusiasm for your topic. Thank you.

[@JohnsArtLife]

The great thing about 'outsider art' is you work with complete freedom, as you haven't learned or been told about any rules, what you should do or shouldn't do. That freedom can lead to very different results.

[@lauraswan8647]

I guess I am an outsider self taught artist. I couldn't go to art school , but I have a whole bunch of sketches and a handful of crafts. I just love creating. I enjoyed this clip. Thank you for sharing ☺

[@briantjepkema7758]

An outsider artist ignores or is unaware of art history and generally makes the work for his own private audience - himself. Being self taught is not enough to define a person as an outsider artist. It is also a matter of intensity. It sounds like what you are describing is a hobby.

[@lauraswan8647]

@@briantjepkema7758 no, it's my passionate outsider art, not a hobby. I have sold a lot of my art and many have loved it

[@briantjepkema7758]

@@lauraswan8647 I just wanted to point out that any artist who is self taught cannot automatically be categorized as an outsider artist.

[@lauraswan8647]

@@briantjepkema7758 Well, in America it's different. The outsider artists are known as Folk Artist and Yes, they can actually categorize as outside artist . The majority are self taught and paint from the heart. This is America. I don't know about other parts of the globe, but we categorize as outside artist (self taught )..just trying to make myself clear on that. Where are you from?

[@briantjepkema7758]

@@lauraswan8647 There are actually many categories - outsider art, visionary artist, art brut, naive art - and they all share characteristics. While it is a cornerstone characteristic of an outsider artist that he/she is uneducated in the arts, it is only part of the definition. It certainly doesn't mean that all self taught artists are also outsider artists. The archetype of the outsider artist in America is Henry Darger who was both uneducated in the arts and worked completely in private. Outsider artists generally don't sell their own art and Darger was no exception. There are a lot of imposters and charlatans however in the outsider art category currently given the contemporary interest in such artists so you will see many posers at outsider art fairs. I would also contend that serious mental illness is a cornerstone characteristic of outsider artists.

[@navajoauckland6003]

Cara's enthusiasm just screams . Thank you

[@outsiderartgalleryamsterda9978]

Great description! You can also see more at the Outsider Art Museum in the Hermitage Amsterdam, and in the Outsider Art Gallery at the Hermitage, where some of the Outsider Artists work daily.

[@GUTeaTeapots]

William Edmonson's sculptures are beautiful.

[@richardhutchison3123]

My grandfather bought several major piece from Edmondson. They are now donated to Cheekwood by our family and are part of a permanent display in honor of my late grandparents and uncle.

[@Night-Taco]

Wow- Christie's actually got it right. Most people think Brut Art is the same as Outsider Art. Glad to see they got it right!

[@KINGBublepop]

Art Brut is the french term for outsider art though.

[@jeaninetaylorfolkart7538]

Such a fabulous video and a great breakdown. Thanks for sharing this!

[@lisagibson8561]

Luv the William Edmondson person statue 😍

[@johnjohnson3709]

I love Edmondson. I have a friend who has two of his pieces.

[@davidfreeman7455]

I can see Jean Michel Basquiat in all these great artist

[@OutsiderArtwork]

Wonderful. Beautiful.

[@johnjohnson3709]

I love Traylor’s art!!

[@felixfelix7447]

Id love an "expert" to talk about my art. Make me look good........i cant even get a reply from a gallery 🙄

[@rhonnachurch6929]

@@venusbonjour9303 you are correct about that. Only for me I've become aware that to be in the state of creating art is what has given me the most fulfillment.

[@rhonnachurch6929]

I have accepted that when I do become known will be after I am gone and really what makes me the happiest is to actually be making the art. While it hardly matters if I ever am known for any art, it may matter to my son and granddaughter later if I do or not..... So until then I'm just going to believe it will happen that way and so I just plan accordingly!

[@ManishaSingh-sn4ku]

This is so inspiring.

[@chriskamaras5005]

So eloquent, what a great narrator.

[@bryantvazquez18]

I love all these disgruntled people commenting their expert opinions on what art is or isn't. Hahaha

[@waydeowen5116]

Great video.

[@patrickhicks9880]

the mainstream of art just like a lot of society is a very small proportion people outside the mainstream create out of the sheer joy of it

[@spasticpug5209]

I enjoy these videos but I’d rather be looking at the art that we’re talking about more than the speaker

[@johnjohnson3709]

I see some Edmondson, were both from Nashville.

[@JOSEPHCHARLESCOLIN2024]

It seems I'm getting pushed into this category .

[@alsaulso1332]

Pop culture was influenced by them!!!

[@irmalybrackin4048]

Thank you

[@jacekpokrak9258]

Nice video Regards J.J Pokrak Compmaturism

[@vatchesolakian6361]

If there's an inside there must be an outside. What is an inner circle (of friends for example) but those who you find common interests with. " Insider" artists are thus socially excepted beings.. Excepted because the viewer needs not grapple to much with what's being presented. The outsider artists on the hand have allowed their inner vision to burst out with no audience in mind.. If your talking about art then it's the outsiders at the top of the food chain. Though it seems for the most part those who are creatively impotent spend their money on their "friends"

[@briza2022]

They aren't commanded by anyone but themselves.

[@ealymaysshow]

Good stuff artist Ealy Mays from Paris.

[@kristine6996]

💋

[@christianegonbarnthaler1426]

super art 111

[@OmegaF77]

So, Deviantart?

[@strictlyyoutube6881]

is 'outsider art' code for something?

[@stierefin]

Any artist who works from outside the academy is known as an outsider artist. It is not new. Been around since the 1920's.

[@sandnerdaniel]

I would like to know more about the artist, he seems like an interesting guy. Seriously, you have only one shot of him from two angles? I would appreciate him talking about his art instead of the curator girl during her mindfulness session.

[@ericacrady9577]

*EdmonDson

[@SMH-vi4ht]

I am sorry. But I dont really like the term “outsider art”. I dont think there should be such a discribtion.

[@realce666]

So basically it's real art.

[@robertspies4695]

So, Christies, an integral and powerful part of the artistic establishment which shunned outsider art for decades is now embracing this genre as its value is recognized and monied collectors have taken an interest. This is presented by a white woman of course. Why don't you include some video by BIll Arnedt?

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

@Wenceslao Futanaki Satan ain't real

[@lamathunderbolt]

the art should speak for itself, outsider art has much more eloquence. i'm leary of those folk who speak highly of art and are the same ones selling it.

[@amiellezemach7513]

I would appreciate much more focus on the pieces of art themselves without the imposition of the speaker. She could be in the beginning and on the voiceover but this piece seems to struggle with being as much about her as it is about the art.

[@nonel4515]

The idiocy of this is that most of the biggest artist didn't have formal training. But they developed there art into their art. Sometimes I think "outsider art" means 'artists that didn't get recognition.... so now the art system can make some money off them without having to pay anyone else.'

[@paulmactavish3355]

I'm

[@paulmactavish3355]

Blown away, Freash spon

[@SDBXLS1]

Blabla...

[@davehouston803]

In the video when talking about Sister Gertrude Morgan, a work by Nellie Mae Rowe is shown. Cmon Christie’s, you ignored this genre for years, until you could monetize it. At the very least, you should know the artists you are showing! SMH

[@darnellkendricks]

I hate the name ""OutSider Art"" As its so non inclusive and almost marginalizes the gift. Why not ""Naturally Gifted Art"" or Gifted Art, or Natural Fine Artist??

[@KINGBublepop]

I'd argue that the "gift" these artist have is the passion and the will to make art. I don't think anybody is born a great artist.

[@bryantvazquez18]

I like the term, personally. It feels powerful.

[@PeachPlastic]

Because the art "establishment" are a bunch of elite pricks. It's non-inclusive on purpose.

[@Consrignrant]

@@PeachPlastic ...... "Elite"????........ Never fails to amaze how imbeciles like you have no shame in voicing your stupidity. You simpleton.

[@RedVelvetUnderground333]

Brut art was what it was going to be called

[@xwarx1000]

very few of them are really good most of the art works by the so- called " outsider artists" are interesting but not exhibitable in museums just like most of the contemporary crap. Howeveeeerrr....well what can we poor unsophisticated do if these things feeds the elite and sophisticated and their precious/ twisted aesthetics ( short ttention span and power to turn antthing into cash )

[@aiKid84]

What is outsider art? You asked while you put in my eyeball your

[@julietspaghetti]

Outsider art kind of means art made by the non rich. The non middle class. Poor people who make art are outsiders. They're outside because to be a starving artist and to survive being a work drugged proletarian is outside what the elite support. Medici support basically created the Renaissance. Where are the Medici today? Corporations. The MacArthur Foundation grant. But they won't support artists who deserve it. They create mediocre celebrities who are boring. Yawn. I'm pretty sure Vivian Meier and Henry Darger are fake. I never met either and I'm a Chicagoan. If they were real people I'd have met them.

[@OmegaF77]

So people who died before you were born are fake too?

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

Yknow Henry Darger is dead right, of course you've never met them!!! Also he made great work ❤️

[@maleman6029]

Wow they highlight the only 2 black people in the art style !!

[@mikenino1559]

Could do that easy.

[@jonajon91]

I find outsider art completely fascinating, but ultimatly lacking in execution. I'm more a musician than an artist and I understand that it would take years of learning before I could properly comprehend works like these, but when artist/musicians don't have that formal training then the end product is seems lacking, at least to me.

[@juancantu6169]

Jonathan Keeler: ¿does thot f(n)ormal training you speek of require a grading system, or the attainment of an actual Art degree with one’s government name inscribed upon it? Yes or no answers, please.

[@markcooperartcom]

the art world is full of shit.

[@alsaulso1332]

All Art is lacking!!! That is apart of creation!! We as viewers add the missing pieces!

[@thomervin7450]

Yeah, if the artwork is meant to be shown, then it should be executed well. If the artwork isn't meant to be shown, then who cares. But I'm not interested in going somewhere to see art that looks like a five year old did it, because, otherwise, I'd just stay at home and look at my own art.

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

Outsider art was supposed to be people in mental institution

[@imo1933]

Joe Rodriguez: *Reading your comment 5 months later, it is the only one that seems to know what the true meaning of "Outsiders Art" was meant to be and indicate.*

[@TheSoundYouDontNeed]

who said that ?

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Junk.

[@fernandoventura2696]

To look in youtube. " Filosofía cara caras baratas"...

[@aissatacoulibaly5553]

Did Basquiat an outsider ? This all thing is an artistic discrimination... 😥

[@mitjellk2186]

Basquiat enjoyed an art education from a young age.

[@AnonYmous-ct1by]

I get it black peoble used to be very much outside of the art worlds clientel back in the early 20th century... but is every single outsider artist black?

[@TheSoundYouDontNeed]

nice way of saying you´re racist

[@AuChoco]

I've got to be honest with you here... They look like the works of a 5 year old in an arts and crafts class, you're overcomplicating things

[@TheSoundYouDontNeed]

no one cares have a nice life bye

[@davidbacon9223]

telephone pole postcard art? (ghetto?).................................. hide $$$ behind it! (hill-trekking homeless)

[@mxferro]

Christies and other art critics are trying to become more politically correct...grasping at ridiculous crap...other then the sculptures which show some technical merit...the rest had no skill and said nothing as far as subject matter or any kind of impact to the viewer...the art world is trying to create a artificial market..governed and assigned by them...this is ridiculous.

[@josevalerodiaz4553]

mxferro

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

You seem a little aggressive, why is that?

[@mau5099]

So outsider art is just miniorities making art lmao??? Wow.