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Prime Minister launches first Outsider Art gallery
Prime Minister Helen Clark congratulated the artists and commended the work of Arts Access Aotearoa at the launch of New Zealand's first Outside-In Gallery at Bowen House at Parliament in December.
Arts Access Aotearoa, a national organisation working with artists from marginalised groups, has established the Outside-In Gallery to promote Outsider Art and support artists to earn an income from their work.
It is expected to become the largest gallery in New Zealand because it involves loaning out artworks to government and private sector offices with the option to buy.
"It's so exciting to see this initiative and the scale of it," Helen Clark said at the launch. "This is not a gallery of bricks and mortar but one where the work will be circulated among offices. However, I think that people won't want to let the work go from their walls but will want to buy it. And that's good for the artists.
"But it's not just about helping the artists. It's about helping us understand the artists and what they are saying about contemporary life in New Zealand."
Arts Access Aotearoa works with close to 100 Creative Spaces and Places throughout New Zealand. Artists at Creative Spaces and Places typically belong to marginalised groups such as those with disabilities or mental health issues, refugees and under-privileged new migrants and prisoners.
Many of these artists work at Creative Spaces and Places to improve their wellbeing. However, they are often not part of the mainstream and their views, perceptions, ideas and art may also be different from the mainstream. In the context of art, this can even be viewed as an advantage.
Outsider Art is usually considered very expressive, emotionally charged and direct and is increasingly commanding top dollars in established art circles, especially in the United States.
Speaking at the gallery launch, Arts Access Aotearoa Executive Director Julie Donvin-Irons said that the aim of the exhibition to launch the Outside-In Gallery was to advocate for Outsider Artists and ensure their work was recognised and valued in New Zealand.
"Outsider Artists are recognised overseas and we believe there is a momentum building in New Zealand, especially with this recognition at Parliament through this launch," she said.
Some New Zealand Outsider Artists are doing well internationally, including Martin Thompson and Andrew Blythe, whose works are generating international interest and demand. Their work will be a feature of the next New York Outsider Art Fair.
"Arts Access Aotearoa is committed to providing momentum to the careers of Outsider Artists by promoting and supporting the Creative Spaces and Places that these artists work with," Julie Donvin-Irons said.
If you would like to loan or purchase a piece of Outsider Art contact Arts Access Aotearoa (T: 04 802 4349 E: admin@artsaccess.org.nz) with OIG in the subject line.
Prime Minister launches first Outsider Art gallery
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Creative New Zealand supports Arts Access Aotearoa with annual funding ($278,000 in 2007) for its programme of activities.
