Outsider art

by Roger Cardinal

The definitive book on Outsider art. Text by Roger Cardinal includes essays on cultural conditioning, madness and art, Dubuffet and Art Brut, authenticity and originality, along with individuals such as Adolf Wölfli, Simon Rodia, Guillaume, Joseph Crépin, Madge Gill, The Abbé Fouéré, and 23 others. Includes detailed bibliography and index.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the earliest of the bks I've read on this subject &, as such, one dear to me. I reckon it's still a debate as to wch term is most appropriate to describe such work & the people who produce it. Visionary? Folk? Outsider? Insane? Whatever. Hopefully, no single term will ever dominate - let's avoid the over-simplification, shall we? This bk exposed me to all sorts of interesting folks like Adolph Wölffli, Clarence Schmidt, Heinrich Anton Müller, Augustin Lesage, August Neter, The Abbé Fouéré, etc.. For those of us who know that we're just staying one step ahead of the dreaded NORMALIZATION JUGGERNAUT OF INDIVIDUALIST PERSONALITY DESTRUCTION in our precipitous tight-rope walk above the dreaded abyss of the sickeningly congealed masses, the tales about & images from such folks is much-needed relief from the well 'nigh omnipresent Pavlovian advertising image spewing monster of Mammon. So there.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive early book on OA.

[Bruna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have my problems with some of Cardinal's views but this text helped me to understand about the historical context and moves of the matter.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even after many years this volume remains a beloved browse book and I find myself returning to favorite sections every few years. These include Raymond Isidore's mosaic, Heinrich Muller's line drawings, the Clarence Schmidt house (which I believe was on the original dust jacket), and more. Technical details: My copy has no ISBN listed, and the publisher is Praeger Publishers (New York). The copyright, 19972, is held by Studio Vista (London), but they are not the publisher. I recall seeing the original dust jacket years ago, but it didn't come with the hardcover copy I obtained from a library discard sale!