Was Yayoi Kusama an Outsider Artist? A Tribute (1929-2026)
Yayoi Kusama has died at 97. She lived in a psychiatric hospital by choice and conquered the art world. Was she an outsider artist? A tribute from Studio BRUT.
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Outsider art this week: 21 August 2026
Top image via Colossal, featured below. This week brings word of folk art and outsider shows from New York to Sicily, plus a remarkable 22-year memorial project and news of several artists who deserve wider attention. There's also a lovely tradition continuing in Michigan and a quilt exhibition that spans centuries. Self-Presenting at the American … Read more
Thank you, WillSecure
A thank you to WillSecure, who kept our opening night safe. When you open a new space to the public for the first time, you want people looking after the door who actually care. WillSecure provided two door supervisors for the opening night, free of charge. Jason and the team had done the door for … Read more
Thank you, Arkell’s
A proper Swindon thank you to Arkell’s. There is no more Swindon name than Arkell’s. Family brewers on Hyde Road since 1843, so when we started pulling together an opening-night bar with no budget and a studio nobody had been inside yet, they were the first door we knocked on. They said yes: three packs … Read more
Outsider art this week: 14 August 2026
Top image via Colossal, featured below. This week brings news of exhibitions from clay figures at Santa Fe to self-taught artists finding space in public libraries. There's also talk of a global folk art showcase in India and recognition for American folk artists at regional competitions. 'I Am Clay' exhibition brings Acoma Pueblo figures to … Read more
Thank you, Tap Social
A quick one, but an important one. The bar on opening night is looking a lot healthier today. A load of beer has arrived from Tap Social Movement, an Oxford brewery who I asked, more in hope than expectation, if they’d help us out. Ed said yes, sorted it, and had it here for the … Read more
Outsider art this week: 7 August 2026
A quieter week for outsider art news, but there are some worthwhile finds if you look carefully. We've got a self-taught artist winning recognition, a look at Sister Gertrude Morgan's legacy, and a few other bits worth your time. Self-taught artist wins national award A Jersey-based self-taught artist has taken home a national award, though … Read more
Outsider art this week: 31 July 2026
A good week for outsider and folk art, with exhibitions opening from Wisconsin to New Mexico and a rare selling show of Madge Gill postcards at auction. There's also encouraging news about self-taught artists getting to speak for themselves, and a fresh look at folk art in Louisiana. Postcards by self-taught artist Madge Gill come … Read more
Thank you, Flawsome! Drinks
The wonky fruit people said yes to our opening night bar.
Outsider art this week: 24 July 2026
Top image: Patrick Dougherty’s woven willow stickwork, via Colossal, featured below. This week brings news of folk art trails in Georgia, fresh exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic, and a look at how artists facing precarious circumstances are finding community through their work. There's also a thought-provoking piece on the myth-making around outsider artists. … Read more