Reflections . . . Outsider Art?

You might call Bill Hilton's work "Outsider Art."
Also known as Art Brut, Visionary Art, or Intuitive Art - each with their own specifics and subtleties of definition, Outsider Art refers broadly to art created by people who are not trained as fine artists and may be self-taught; work outside of established art channels such as schools, museums, and galleries; and may belong to one or more marginalized populations such as persons affected by incarceration or mental illness.  But these labels are not definitive and prompt much disussion in the art world.

Reflection 18" x 24"
c. 1988
Collection of M. Staley

Bill was not trained as a painter or visual artist.  His work was self taught.  He enjoyed experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques.

Although he was well educated and did sell some of his paintings, he did not work within the formal structure of art galleries or museums.

He was not a folk artist, nor a member of a marginalized group of people.

In the broadest sense, Outsider Art is the label that applies to Bill's personal
form of intaglio painting.   

Many of the 300+ works in this series are modern abstracts.  However, simple representational pieces such as Reflections and Barn and Silo which appear in this post punctuate the collection.  About half of Bill's later life series of paintings were sold, gifted, or traded.  The remainder are in Anne Marie's possession (or belong to Bill's grandchildren).  Some will become available for sale later this year. 

Barn and Silo - 15" x 24"


More About Outsider Art
For more visuals and discussion of Outsider Art, you may want to consult Raw Vision magazine,  Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, or the American Visionary Art Museum as well as searching the various labels (visionary, intuitive, folk, or art brut).



The links to the right include a number of respected private galleries or collections specializing in Outsider / Folk / Intuititive / Visionary / Art Brut artists (Yard Dog, Webb Art Gallery, Barbara Archer Gallery, Judy A. Saslow Gallery,  and The Anthony Petullo Collection).