art brut : self taught outsider and folk art: ‘art brut connaissance & diffusion was created in 1999. It is a French foundation with international scope, whose main objective is to research, study and make known Art Brut by means of exhibitions, publications and audio visual productions.

Our founding members are art historians, psychoanalysts, writers, collectors but also amateurs with strong interest in Art Brut. The diversity of our members contributes to the original crossing of different points of view.

Jean Dubuffet:

“Art Brut designates works executed by persons unharmed by artistic culture, in which mimesis, in contrast to what happens in the case of intellectuals, has little or no part at all. Consequently, the authors draw their inspiration (themes, materials, the means of transposition, rhythm, different styles of writing, etc.) from their resources and not from the clichés of classical or fashionable art.”

I am gratified to see this group cite Dubuffet and his 1945 definition of ‘outsider art’ as a defining influence. The art brut movement seems to have forsaken him recently to the extent that several listings of exhibits fail to mention the imposing Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne which evolved from Dubuffet’s personal holdings.