A number of high profile judges have been announced for a major open exhibition celebrating Outsider Art.
Organised by award-winning arts charity Outside In, which is based in Sussex, ‘Environments’ will feature the work of 80 artists who identify as facing barriers to the art world. Making a submission to the exhibition is free but artists must be a member of Outside In to submit (membership is also free).
As part of the show, three prizes will be awarded by a panel of judges that includes Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry, sculptor and Royal Academian Cathie Pilkington, plus Robert Travers, director and founder of Piano Nobile Gallery where the show will take place.
The trio will select three winners from the list of exhibiting artists, with the first prize offering a solo exhibition at Phoenix Gallery, Brighton, and second and third prize providing funds for art materials.
Perry commented: “My hopes for the Outside In exhibition are that I’ll find an undiscovered genius who has a sophisticated aesthetic teamed with a raw vision of the world!”
Submissions are open for artists to be part of the show until 19 August 2019, after which a long list of exhibiting artists will be selected by a panel that includes Outside In artist James Lake, sculptor Laura Ford and charity ActionSpace director Sheryl Catto.
Lake, whose work has included taking part in the 2012 Paralympic Gold Run project and has been exhibited at Sotheby’s with Outside In, said: “I’m a firm believer in supporting artists of all abilities to have the chance to show their work and ensure that we don’t marginalise people and artists, because they haven’t come from a mainstream or academic background.
He added that he hopes the exhibition will “celebrate and recognise the artistic endeavours of artists who may otherwise not be able to access the recognition and voice that they deserve”.
‘Environments’ will be the fifth national art exhibition held by Outside In, and its first as an independent charity. Founder and director Marc Steene said: “This opportunity has a proven record of having changed lives – and that is not only true of the people who get to showcase their incredible talent and be seen – but also for the audiences who get to experience such a unique offering.
“In this case the exhibition will not only provide a chance to challenge their own preconceptions of art but get a fresh perspective on the environments in which we live too.”
Artists can submit up to four pieces of work to the exhibition via www.outsidein.org.uk. The deadline for submissions is 19 August 2019.
Images (all works by Outside In members):
1. John57, No sense of direction. Courtesy: the artist
2. Artist and Outside In exhibition selector James Lake. Courtesy: the artist
3. Sam Parratt, The sewing men and the Tiger. Courtesy: the artist
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