Nonconformers
A New History of Self-Taught Artists
Published on 12. April 2022
Book
Hardback
400 pages
978-0-300-26022-9 (ISBN)
Description
A global history of self-taught artists advocating for a nuanced understanding of modern and contemporary art often challenged by the establishment
"An essential addition to any discerning art lover's collection. . . . An informative and important companion for art aficionados, budding curators and total novices alike."-Vanity Fair London
When the art world has paid attention to makers from outside the cultural establishment, including so-called outsider and self-taught artists, it has generally been within limiting categories. Yet these artists, including many women, people with disabilities, and people of color, have had a transformative effect on the history of modern art. Responding to growing interest in these artists, this book offers a nuanced history of their work and how it has been understood from the early twentieth century to the present day.
Nonconformers includes work by Henry Darger, Hilma af Klint, and Bill Traylor alongside that of many other artists who deserve widespread recognition. The book reviews how self-taught artists influenced key movements of twentieth-century art and highlights the voices of contemporary practitioners, offering new interviews with William Scott, Mamadou Cisse, and George Widener. An international group of contributors addresses topics such as the development of the Black Folk Art movement in America and l'Art Brut in France, the creative process of self-taught artists working outside of traditional studios, and the themes of figuration, landscape, and abstraction. Global in scope and with chronological breadth, this alternative narrative is an essential introduction to the genre long known as "Outsider Art."
"An essential addition to any discerning art lover's collection. . . . An informative and important companion for art aficionados, budding curators and total novices alike."-Vanity Fair London
When the art world has paid attention to makers from outside the cultural establishment, including so-called outsider and self-taught artists, it has generally been within limiting categories. Yet these artists, including many women, people with disabilities, and people of color, have had a transformative effect on the history of modern art. Responding to growing interest in these artists, this book offers a nuanced history of their work and how it has been understood from the early twentieth century to the present day.
Nonconformers includes work by Henry Darger, Hilma af Klint, and Bill Traylor alongside that of many other artists who deserve widespread recognition. The book reviews how self-taught artists influenced key movements of twentieth-century art and highlights the voices of contemporary practitioners, offering new interviews with William Scott, Mamadou Cisse, and George Widener. An international group of contributors addresses topics such as the development of the Black Folk Art movement in America and l'Art Brut in France, the creative process of self-taught artists working outside of traditional studios, and the themes of figuration, landscape, and abstraction. Global in scope and with chronological breadth, this alternative narrative is an essential introduction to the genre long known as "Outsider Art."
Reviews / Votes
"[A] handsomely produced book. . . . A section on the self-taught architecture in grand structures by Sabato "Simon" Rodia, builder of the Watts Tower in Los Angeles, and Nek Chand Saini, creator of the Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India, gives welcome attention to constructed monumental projects that self-taught designers imagine but rarely build."-David D'Arcy, Art Newspaper"Featuring William Edmondson, Bill Traylor, Aloise Corbaz and more, this book highlights marginalized artists."-New York Times Book Review
"An essential addition to any discerning art lover's collection. . . . An informative and important companion for art aficionados, budding curators and total novices alike."-Vanity Fair London
"Slominski offers new insights here into the influence of artists such as Hilma af Klint on the development of modern art, and presents interviews with contemporary self-taught artists such as Mamadou Cisse."-Apollo
"A fine survey of work by outsider artists. . . . [Lisa Slominski is a] perceptive critic."-Michael Glover, The Tablet, "Best New Art Books"
"Hilma af Klint, the woman behind the abstract 1907 painting is just one art outsider who gets a more nuanced reappraisal in this fascinating new book."-Artists & Illustrators, "Book of the Month"
"Nonconformers underlines the relevance of self-taught artists, be it aesthetic, spiritual, or practical. It's a must read for those who wish to expand their knowledge of Art in totality."-Dr. Joyce J. Scott, visual artist/MacArthur Fellow
"A provocative and meticulous study of over 60 self-taught artists from around the world. Even more importantly, it questions the history, includes essays from global experts, and redefines the entire genre."-Iain Jackson, University of Liverpool
"The artist Lonnie Holley recently referred to himself as 'self-taught . . . the same way Neil Armstrong might have described himself as a self-taught moon walker.' Lisa Slominski's new book Nonconformers approaches creativity with the same spirit-that the work of artists like Holley and others is expansive and without bounds. It points to a future where these artists lead the way, as they have all along."-Annalise Flynn, independent art historian and curator
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
300 color illus.
Dimensions
Height: 270 mm
Width: 219 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
1817 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-26022-9 (9780300260229)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification