New European Art

Dates: 16 Apr 2010 - 22 May 2010
Location: PA Gallery : Trongate 103 and TouchBase

New work from Europe brings together the work of 19 individual artists from nine different countries across Europe.

This exhibition is a selection of work from the Outsider Art Biennale held at the Rackstad Museum in Arvika, Sweden, September – October 2009. The 2009 Biennale featured 40 artists with disabilities from nine European countries. This current exhibition features 19 of these artists, all working in a diverse mix of subjects and mediums.

The term Outsider Art was coined as a synonym for ‘art brut’, a French term for ‘raw art’ or ‘rough art’ created by French artist Jean Dubuffet to describe art created outside the boundaries of official culture. Typically, those labelled as outsider artists have little or no contact with the mainstream art world or art institutions. The term is sometimes misapplied as a catch-all marketing label for art created by people outside the mainstream ‘art world’, regardless of their circumstances or the content of their work. (Wikipedia)

Many contemporary critics question the parameters of Outsider Art arguing that the wording limits the reading of the artist’s work. Whatever way one decides to understand the term, it is unlikely to be read as something other than art created in particular circumstances. These artists work in a range of specialist art environments which provide training and support.

Opening on the day, when Glasgow is arranging one of the largest arts festivals in the UK; Glasgow International, New work from Europe is an exhibition that attempts to open a dialogue about arts institutions, professionalism and the concept of ‘outside’. Project Ability is therefore delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the selected artists work, including contributions from three Glasgow based artists: Cameron Morgan, Doreen Kay and Robert Reddick.

New work from Europe will also host a Gallery talk by Ninni Hultgren, Thursday 6 May, 1-2pm. Hultgren is the manager of the arts studio Inuti, Stockholm, Sweden, she will talk about Inuti and the work of exhibiting artist Fredrik Dansson whose work will be featured in the show.

This exhibition is presented across two galleries; Project Ability and TouchBase