The Thousands

That’s right – outsider art is an actual thing, not just a Simpsons reference. Put crudely, outsider artists are people who didn’t go to art school, or otherwise follow the conventional young-emerging-established career path that has become so entrenched in the world of art. Their art is typically naïve (but not always), easily accessible (but not always) and rarely taken seriously by the establishment.

It should be. While some knowledge of art history is important, education alone does not an artist make. Nor is it only available to those lucky enough to have gone to art school. I put it to you that a lot of people go to art school because they think it’ll be cushy, or for the crumpet.

Man, I wish I’d gone to art school.

So anyway, a selection of paintings from last year’s International Outsiders Festival will be up at the South West Community Centre until April. Last year’s festival was a huge success, but they still need your support. The whole thing is run out of Adelaide on a family shoestring, so bring your wallet!