Outside In Magazine Issue 3 - Winter 2022
Welcome
“Welcome to 2022 and I very much hope the year ahead sees us all in a more creative and safer space. These have been challenging times, fear abounds and risks in every encounter we make, now more than ever we need to be mindful and considerate of others. It might seem that living a creative life and sharing art may be of less importance, but on the contrary, I feel it is more important than ever. The need to connect and share are vital, building new communities through our ambassadors and artists is a testimony of how Outside In is challenging isolation and helping its artists to live happier and connected lives.” - Marc Steene, Outside In founder and director Front cover image: Blue Sky by Alan Payler 02 |
Charles, centre, and Marc, right, at the 2019 National with (L-R) artist Alasdair, exhibition judge Robert Travers, exhibition manager Cornelia Marland, judges Grayson Perry and Cathie Pilkington
Introduction Someone wrote to me recently to say that the outsider art world was delicately balanced and that we had to be so careful only to show the ‘best examples of the genre’. The message made me stop and assess again what Outside In is all about. Outside In is a charity. Our mission is to find, support and showcase artists with the long-term aim of creating a fairer artworld. It is not here just to show a narrow range of art or artists who might meet a well-established aesthetic of an outsider type. It made me realise again how important the work Outside In is doing to achieve these aims, to be inclusive, to encourage diversity in all its forms. Three years ago, Marc and I visited to the Community Art Project in Darlington. It
was an inspiring experience as we watched the artists who were totally absorbed in their extra-ordinary creations. Both the staff and the artists there left such a positive impression. Alan Payler is one of those artists from Darlington and you can find out more about his brilliant work in this magazine. At the National in 2019 his works were awarded first prize by judges including Grayson Perry and the result will be an exhibition at the Phoenix Art Space this spring. In my view the works are not a style developed for commercial reason, but great examples of the power of art as personal expression. Keep going all of you creators out there. We are here to support. - Charles Rolls, Outside In chairman | 03
Contents 11
14
19
06 |
08 |
09 |
12 |
2021 Look Ahead
Ambassador Tips
Kindred Spirits
Inside Outside In Podcasts
25 |
30 |
32 |
34 |
Another Space Within Exhibition
Creative Guide
Contact the Team
Meet the Artist Advisory Group
04 |
26
31
35
13 |
14 |
22 |
24 |
Exhibition News
Under A Blue Sky Exhibition
Alan Payler Keep Creative
Step Up Coming Up
35 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
Meet Our Ambassadors
Ambassador Postcards
Postcard Fundraiser
Create a Postcard | 05
2021 Look Ahead
January - 25 - Introducing Collections: Prinzhorn Collection, online, 1pm to 2pm - 26 - Share Art, online, 1.30pm to 3pm - 27 - Layers of Creativity virtual exhibition ends - 27 - Another Space Within virtual exhibition opens
February - 6 - Kindred Spirits exhibition at Harley Gallery ends - 14 - Deadline for ambassador training - 23 - Artist statement one-to-one sessions, 10am to 5.30pm - 24-28 - Ambassador training
March - 4 - Open mic poetry and spoken word event, online, 6pm to 7.15pm - 25 - Artist support day with Lucy Blizsko, 10am to 4.30pm - 30 - Share Art online, 1.30pm to 3pm 06 |
April - 2-24 - Under A Blue Sky exhibition at Phoenix Art Space, Brighton - 21 - Another Space Within virtual exhibition ends - 21 - Under A Blue Sky virtual exhibition opens (runs to September)
Coming soon Step Up courses: - Exploring Collections course with Poole Museum - Exploring Collections course with Bobby Baker’s series of Diary Drawings - Talking About Art course with Darlington Community Art Project - Leading Workshops course with Artspace If you would like more information please contact Kate.Davey @outsidein.org.uk or 07903 028391 Also look out for: - Display at Graylingwell, Chichester - Watch: Introducing Collections – Prinzhorn recording - New artist outreach project
August Natterer, Miracle Shepderd, ca. 19111913 – Prinzhorn Collection
Artwork by Jasmin Janiurek, part of the Another Space Within exhibition, see page 23
| 07
Tips from Outside In Ambassadors Talking about your art: Presentation advice Tips for presenting • Remember CLAP: always speak Clearly, Loudly, And with Pauses • Pauses give the audience time to think about what you’ve said • Look to the back of the room and imagine you’re speaking to one person, this can help nerves • Start with an engaging opening statement • Give a key message to take away at the end Thinking about your audience • The viewer will bring something new to the art, their own memories and emotions • You could ask the audience what they see in the artwork and have a dialogue • If your presentation includes information that might be triggering for some people, it is a good idea to give a trigger warning at the start so the audience is aware • There may be people with visual impairments in the audience, so you might want to 08 |
describe your work as you talk about it, e.g. ‘This area of red on the right…’ • Face your audience, not your picture. This will help people with limited hearing, those who are lip reading and BSL interpreters
You Talk I’ll Listen by Febe Zylstra
Kindred Spirits The Kindred Spirits exhibition unites the Jerwood and Outside In collections with works selected by artist curators. It is on show at The Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire, until 6 February 2022. Lisa Gee, director of the Harley Gallery: “I feel really proud of the journey we have been on. When I first met the artist curators there was such an energy, such a vibrancy, in that room - they pulled me along with them and as a result we have this show. I have spoken to visitors who have said this is the most exciting exhibition so far and it is the most exciting because it is the most challenging and it is prodding us to think differently which I think is what we all want from an exhibition.” Marc Steene, director and founder of Outside In: “What I think is enlightening is the stories and connections that our artists have found between the two collections. It is powerful to realise these works can live alongside one another without any sense of compromise, or
one collection being seen as more significant or more important than the other. I am absolutely sure this will be the first step of many others of enabling Outside In artists to become curators and enable displays in the future. A huge thanks to them for their bravery and courage for taking this on and to the Harley Gallery, the Outside In team and our funders and supporters.”
Marc Steene, Lisa Gee and artist curator Hayley Hindle | 09
A short film, now available on the Outside In website, provides more insight to the exhibition. Not only does it feature footage from the exclusive launch event, it also sees artists and artist curators share the inspiration behind their works and the selection. This includes Corinne talking about her new video installation ‘My Reverie’ and the links it has to the work by Laila
Artist curator Angela Chudley with Joanna Simpson’s Gum Nut Folk 10 |
Kassab, as well as artist-curators Hayley Hindle and Angela Chudley revealing their own personal highlights and favourite pieces within the show. To view, visit www.outsidein.org.uk or contact Matt or José - details on p33.
Still from Corinne’s video
Fish Charm No. 1 by Alan Davie (Jerwood) being installed
Gold Run Sprinter by James Lake
Artist curator Hayley Hindle with Resigned by Anita Tayler | 11
Inside Outside In Podcasts
Have you discovered our ‘Inside Outside In’ podcasts yet? They include exclusive interviews with guest artists including Grayson Perry and Laura Ford as well as interviews with Outside In artists and reviews of exhibitions and cultural events. The podcasts are available to watch (with BSL and subtitles) on our website and to listen to in audio-only format. Episode 3 covers Kindred Spirits at the Harley Gallery, Strange Relations at Fabrica and Outside In artists included in the 2021 Royal Academy Summer exhibition. Looking ahead Episode 4 will focus on award winner Alan Payler’s exhibition at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton. To enjoy in full, visit the Get Inspired pages on our website or contact Matt, details on p33. Artist Clarke Reynolds features in podcast episode 2 part 1 12 |
Exhibition News The 2022 exhibitions programme kicks off with the opening of our fourth virtual exhibition, this one is titled ‘Another Space Within’ and it will open from the end of January. It will showcase 32 individual journeys of exploration and creative response from artists who have participated in six Step Up: Exploring Collections courses over the past year. In April we will open the long-awaited show of the 2019 National award winner Alan Payler, ‘Under A Blue Sky’. Alan’s work will be displayed alongside those of his fellow artists who also attend The Community Art Project in Darlington. This will be our first exhibition that merges the virtual and physical together, although the exhibition will be on display at the Phoenix Gallery in Brighton, it will also be recreated digitally and shown on the Outside In website. Alongside the show we will be running hybrid events with the aim to create a more accessible experience and connect Brighton and Darlington. More information on these exhibitions can be found on the following pages, or online at www.outsidein.org.uk.
No One Loves Me by Louisa Hammond | 13
Under A Blue Sky Exhibition Outside In is excited to present ‘Under A Blue Sky’ the solo show of Alan Payler and the result of Alan winning first prize at Outside In’s National exhibition Environments for a piece made in felt tip pen titled ‘The Garden’. The National exhibition was the result of a call-out by Outside In, which saw more than 900 artists submit works from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Alan was one of three prize-winners selected by the judging panel – Grayson Perry, Cathie Pilkington and Robert Travers.
Darlington, an arts studio for adults with learning disabilities where much of Alan’s artwork was created. In the next pages you will be able to find out more about the studio and the artwork as well as try your hand at the keep creative guide inspired by Alan’s work. Under A Blue Sky, will run between 2 to 24 April 2022 at Phoenix Art Space, Brighton, as well as online in a virtual exhibition from 21 April to September.
Grayson Perry said: “Art is a purely subjective thing. The winning work was the work of art that most closely aligned with something I would be happy to make myself and gave me joy. Also it was like something I had never seen before. I would very much like to come and see Alan’s solo show in Brighton.” As well as showcasing Alan’s colourful work, Under A Blue Sky will also feature art by other members of the Community Art Project in 14 |
The Garden by Alan Payler
About Alan, by his sister Barbara What role would you say creativity has played in Alan’s life? I think this has played an important role, he loves to colour and I think he finds it fun. He is always keen to show it off when done.
When did this start, what has inspired or fuelled it? Alan has always been keen on colouring books as a child so this has just continued. Going to the Day Services has kept this alive I feel.
horse and rider and said it was my daughter Rachel. He knew how much horses meant to me so it was very personal. My sister Carole lives in Newcastle so he drew her an Angel of the North picture. My brother Colin also received one, his was a drawing of a pizza as he’s a pizza delivery driver! These made wonderful Christmas presents which we will cherish.
What will/does the exhibition mean to you? This is a huge achievement for Alan and as a family we are so proud it’s difficult to put into words.
Why do you think this exhibition is important and what are your hopes for it? It is important as Alan has early stages of Dementia which apparently can move quite quickly for people with Down’s syndrome so I am unsure in a few years what things will be like.
Do you have a favourite piece Alan has made – if so what is it and why? Yes I definitely have a favourite piece. A couple of years ago Alan (with the support of his fabulous carer Marlene) set about drawing a picture of a
A Horse, Rachel and Maisy the Dog by Alan Payler | 15
About the Studio Laurence Ward, Darlington Borough Council’s community art co-ordinator, tells us more about the Community Art Project which the artists exhibiting in ‘Under a Blue Sky’ attend. The people who come here don’t need any experience in art. All we ask is they are interested and want to have a go. We work with a person-centred approach encouraging service users to make their own choices and decisions and to initiate their own projects and ideas whenever possible. They are referred to the studio and can try out a variety of visual arts activities - drawing, painting, printing, photography or digital art – whatever they feel inspired to use. We are all about valuing people and their work. We celebrate difference and encourage people to express themselves however they wish to. Being creative can be very therapeutic and taking part can decrease stress and anxiety and build confidence and self-esteem. 16 |
Many of our artists have shown their work, whether in exhibitions in the local community or further afield where they are competing on a national or international level with other artists. They have shown work in prestigious exhibitions in places such as Munich, New York, Glasgow and London. Our exhibition programme gives our artists motivation and expands their horizons. We also visit exhibitions to see other artists’ work. I find this work very rewarding - you can see how people benefit, improving their confidence and their lives through their achievements and their love of art and it is satisfying to see hard work get the recognition that it deserves. For more information please contact laurence.ward@darlington.gov.uk or telephone 01325 243864. Artists on next page; 1. Victoria Bowman, 2. Fiona Goodlad, 3. Steven Hardy, 4. Emma Watson, 5. Denise Adams
1
2
4
3
5
| 17
Under a Blue Sky Exhibition Preview
Pen on paper by Brian Jobling
Small by Alan Liddle 18 |
Monoprint by Billy Dowse
Pen by Steven Hardy
Pen and pencil by Paul Cree
Monoprint by Angela Heathoie | 19
Print by Christine 20 |
Watercolour on paper by Victoria Bowman
Thread on canvas by Fiona Goodlad
Oil pastel on card by Sue Page | 21
Alan Payler - Keep Creative
Inspired by Alan Payler’s artwork Wide-open skies, fields of colour and pools of water. We often tend to fill our images and make them ‘busy’ with subject matter but Alan’s work reminds us of the sense of space around us. Alan Payler’s pictures often feature large expanses of colour with small objects placed within them – often near the edges of the picture - they sometimes break with the usual convention of putting the object / subject in the middle of the picture.
22 |
Poolside by Alan Payler
Things to think about: Colour If you fill in a large area of colour with paint or pen or any other media, how can you make this interesting and effective?
Marks • • • •
You could think about the size of the marks you use The direction of the marks The shape of the marks Whether the marks overlap or leave space between them
Space If you do include something different within your coloured space - think about how large or small it can be.
Snake by Alan Payler The back of this magazine has been left blank so you can create your own postcard, we’d love to see the results - Please share your work by: Posting a picture to: Outside In, PO BOX 810, Chichester, PO19 9WF Or emailing: Laura.Miles@outsidein.org.uk | 23
Step Up - Coming Up In early 2022, Outside In will be delivering a Step Up: Talking About Art course with the Community Arts Group in Darlington ahead of ‘Under a Blue Sky’ at Phoenix Brighton. We will also be running a Leading Workshops course as part of our ongoing partnership with Artspace Coventry in March, and an Exploring Collections course with Daily Life Ltd, focusing on artist Bobby Baker’s Diary Drawings later on in spring-summer 2022. Later in the year, there will be opportunities to see artwork made by participants of our Patient Artwork: New Dialogues courses in Wakefield, Bristol and Glasgow. If you are interested in finding out more about Outside In’s Step Up training and development opportunities, please contact Kate Davey, Training Programme Manager, by calling 07903 028391. 24 |
Bobby Baker
Another Space Within Exhibition This virtual exhibition, which launched on 27 January, will bring together works in progress created by artists who have participated in six Step Up: Exploring Collections courses over the past year in partnership with Glasgow Museums, the Mental Health Museum in Wakefield, and Glenside Hospital Museum in Bristol. Generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the John Ellerman Foundation and the Art Fund, the project has seen artists exploring and responding to collections that include objects that relate to the history of mental health in the UK and artworks that were historically produced by mental health hospital patients. The exhibition highlights the diversity of themes, objects and ideas within these unique collections that resonated with each artist, illustrating over 30 individual journeys of exploration and creative response. Physical exhibitions to showcase the responses are also planned for later in the year.
Exhibition Monoprint by Donna Coleman | 25
Artist Diaries To gain insight to the remarkable collections – and the brilliant artist responses they have inspired, we talk to three artists who have been involved with the Exploring Collections courses.
Grant Glennie (artist on the first course with Glasgow Museums)
40KRWP#1 by Grant Glennie
40KRWP#1 by Grant Glennie
26 |
These works take inspiration from the work of Antonia Jabloner, an artist in the Art Extraordinary Collection. I feel visually like with Antonia’s work they resemble a landscape. I see the works as a metaphor for the wandering this artist was doing around the Scottish Highlands before being admitted to a hospital in Aberdeen.
Doll (artist on the second course exploring the collection at the Mental Health Museum) As part of the recent Exploring Collections course I reconnected with my own art journaling practice, using some of the intense themes as a starting point for experimentation.
Cyanotype, exploring 2D texture, by Doll
The freedom found in my sketchbook was a direct counterpart to my research notebook, both were important to my process. For me words on emotive topics give a specific and linear ‘answer’. Mental health, my experience of living with it, has no fix, no resolution - like art it is a matter of perspective and rarely is it understood by all that see it. Layering objectivity, responding to the Museum’s tailors shears, by Doll | 27
Natasha (Glenside Hospital Museum, course assistant) Narratives of explorations and adventure, Natasha Harrison, Bristol. Since September 2021 I’ve been a Course Assistant on the ‘Exploring Collections Course’ at Glenside Hospital Museum, Bristol. Where we were encouraged to keep a daily visual diary and given a concertina card booklet
Natasha Diary 28 |
for this. Two of the ten weeks of my visual diaries are photographed here. I found this process fun to do. It’s been a really intense and moving journey. I have enjoyed mentoring the artists, and the conversations and investigations we’ve had together has informed my work. After researching I am now developing exciting new work for an exhibition to be held at the museum next year.
Another Space Within Preview
The Energy of Ethel by Cara MacWilliam
Home by Brian Gibson
Acorn by Alison Wills | 29
Keep Creative
Expression – stream of consciousness writing
Wellbeing - wood carving (mostly a man’s activity)
About the collection: The Mental Health Museum holds a unique collection of objects and documentation relating to the treatment of mental health. The collection is largely formed of objects and a paper archive collected from the former West Riding Asylums at Wakefield, Huddersfield, Sheffield and Leeds, however, it also continues to expand thanks to contemporary collecting. Through it’s displays and activities, the museum
seeks to promote understanding, empowerment and respect. It also aims to tackle prejudice, promote inclusion, and as a service delivered by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, help people reach their potential and live well within the community. The museum is one of only three in England dedicated to exploring the story of mental health and its treatment, it represents the only such collection in the north of England.
30 |
Interpreting items
Inspiration prompts: • What experience would you like to communicate? • Is there an artform which would link to this expression? • How might the two come together visually?
Jane Stockdale, curator at the Mental Health Museum Wakefield, has provided this guide. She has posed some prompts in the form of questions and examples of objects from the collection and the themes they could represent. Why not use them to inspire your own artistic responses. How we think about our patient collection: • How did the experience of living in an institution affect ideas about identity and self-expression? • How was art used as a vehicle for the voice and protest? • How did the gendered activities at the asylum encourage (or discourage) personal expression? • What other activities encouraged individuals to find their voice? Control – branded items in the collection | 31
Contact the Team Marc Steene Director Marc founded Outside In to challenge concepts as to who is an artist and what art is, seeking to create a fairer art world. Marc.Steene @outsidein.org.uk 07814 831567
Hannah Whitlock Artist Development Programme Manager Hannah supports artists’ development in a wide range of areas. Hannah.Whitlock@ outsidein.org.uk 07903 028270
Cornelia Marland and Charlotte Hanlon Exhibitions Programme Managers Cornelia and Charlotte Clair Montier Kate Davey love finding exciting Operations Training Programme opportunities for Manager Manager artists to showcase Kate leads Outside their artwork. Clair is responsible for In’s training and all logistics and ensuring Cornelia.Marland @outsidein.org.uk development programme everything is running ‘Step Up’. Kate.Davey@ smoothly. Clair.Montier Charlotte.Hanlon outsidein.org.uk @outsidein.org.uk @outsidein.org.uk 07903 028391 01903 898171 07903 028746
32 |
d M O
Beth Hopkins Ambassador Assistant Beth works to help to recruit, train and support the charity’s brilliant team of ambassadors. Ambassadors@ outsidein.org.uk
r ts’ e
José Sunshine-Okoro - Hub Programme Manager José focuses on raising the profile and diversity of artists in the Midlands. Jose.SunshineOkoro@outsidein.org.uk 07496 99733
Matt Forbes-Dale Communications Coordinator Matt brings commercial thinking to the comms team and is behind the charity’s new podcast. Matthew. Forbes-Dale@ outsidein.org.uk 07903 028452
Laura Miles Communications Manager Laura is passionate about all media, from newsletters and the website to this magazine. Laura.Miles @outsidein.org.uk 07496 637214
Beth Troakes Development Officer Beth makes the charity’s work possible by bringing in vital funding and securing grants. Beth.Troakes @outsidein.org.uk 01903 898171 | 33
Meet the Artist Advisory Group - David Jones Can you tell us about the artwork you make?
to spread the word regarding outsiders of the art world. Artists who do face barriers, yet look at I buy paper usually A3 to A1 what Outside In has achieved in regards to growing, getting informed, which leads to other interesting as well as my sketchbooks where I write down any ideas projects, people and plans. that come to mind and paint or colour a lot of the surfaces so at some point I’ve got a decent colour scheme to use in whatever I’m doing. I’ve painted on silver birch bark a few times as well as bits of posters from the billboards that offer old out of date visuals... Like my minstrel Boris Johnson... very varied, try and mash it up.
What is the best thing about being on the Artist Advisory Group? The best thing about being in advisory groups is coming together as a group to reach for ideas and solutions around how we can move forward especially lately, with the zooming. Although it’s still isolation it’s connection with other artists I admire and to share this platform with it’s a privilege.
What is your motivation for being on the AAG? My motivation within the AAG is why we’re all in it 34 |
CUT (inspired by John William Waterhouse) by David Jones
Meet Our Ambassadors Hi, I’m Jackie Bennett, I’m a woven textiles artist and I live in Lewes, East Sussex. I joined Outside In in 2015, before the Radical Craft exhibition. My work often starts on paper or as a photograph, although most of the finished pieces are woven. I enjoy the colour and texture of the yarns and the physical element of weaving, as a way of putting my ideas across. I am often inspired by landscapes and trees but also world events, health and wellbeing. Recently I have been weaving in a looser, more sketchy way so that I can respond and produce work more quickly - although still not like a sketch on paper!
online at the moment) and share our skills, knowledge and appreciation for Outside In. I have chaired a Share Art session and led a photography workshop this year. If someone is interested in becoming an ambassador I’d say go for it! You will learn a lot more about Outside In and join a network of supportive artists.
I joined Outside In’s ambassador training programme to find out more about the charity and connect with the organisation in a deeper way, to show my support and spread the word to other artists. The best thing has been making so many friends through Outside In, many of whom are ambassadors. We meet at events (mostly
Faces in the Fog by Jackie Bennett | 35
Ambassador Postcards A key part of being an ambassador, as you have heard from Jackie, is meeting people and sharing inspiration. With this in mind we asked Outside In’s ambassador assistant Beth Hopkins to tell us more about the monthly meet up sessions they have including a recent session which saw the ambassadors come together to make postcards, some of which can be seen here.
February on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Monday 28 from 10am – 12.30pm on each day. Applicants will need to attend all three. If you would like to apply, please contact Beth Hopkins, Ambassador Assistant for more information at ambassadors@outsidein.org. uk - the deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 14 February 2022.
“The sessions are an opportunity to connect with other artists, share your latest artwork and share skills. Sometimes we have a workshop led by an artist, in the past we’ve had sessions on drawing by touch, weaving with found objects and making collages inspired by Matisse,” Beth explains. “Recently we’ve had sessions sharing tips on selling your work, speaking about your work in front of an audience, and using social media as an artist. We started running the sessions during the first lockdown and since then we’ve built up a genuine community.” New ambassador training is planned this 36 |
Figure by Stuart Milburn
Meet up portraits by Stuart Milburn | 37
Postcard Fundraiser
Grumpy Cat by Rebecca Riou 38 |
An enormous thank you to the hundreds of enthusiastic Outside In artists who got behind our Postcard Fundraiser initiative, contributing postcard-sized artworks in a variety of mediums, from illustration and collage to textile and paintings, to help raise funds for Outside In’s exhibitions programme. In addition to all the Outside In artists who so generously gave their time, we were also fortunate enough to receive original artworks from special guests including Lubaina Himid, Jacqui Poncelet, Laura Ford, Tony Heaton and Bobby Baker. To further celebrate this work, we created our first Outside In art calendar for 2022 which is still on sale on our website at a discounted price of £12 including postage. Our heartfelt thanks to all who have made purchases or contributed creatively. Please visit the SHOP pages of our website for further details about the Fundraiser and how you can get involved or contact Matt on 07903 028452 or matthew.forbes-dale@ outsidein.org.uk.
Place Stamp Here
Outside In PO BOX 810 Chichester PO19 9WF United Kingdom From: Outside In is a registered charity with Charity Number 1171128
#OutsideInKeepCreative