The term “outsider artist” is a divisive one; chiefly used to lump in any artist outside of mainstream arts education or institutions. Sadly, more often than not, their brilliance is only celebrated after their death (see the superbly strange and compelling work of Gerald Dalton as a recent exemplary case). However, a current show is celebrating the work of artists who might otherwise linger under the art world radar while they’re still here to enjoy it: Environments—Outside In, at London’s Kings Place until 1 January, presents a number of works across a vast range of media by UK practitioners who, in the words of organizers, “face barriers to the art world”. The pieces on show range from digital prints, photography, embroidery, assemblage and clay sculpture to works created with pen, pencil, chalk, oil paint, watercolour and charcoal; drawing influence from such disparate sources as the Scottish Highlands, monkeys and the Beatles. Our absolute favourite piece is a tiny buddha by a man simply known as Alisdair, who says he started making art aged thirteen: “I get a pen and paper and it happens spontaneously. It is the result of drawing for years and years. Sometimes my work represents how I feel, for example stressed or calm. There’s an aspect to art about what is aesthetically pleasing rather than how it makes you feel. I enjoy looking at other people’s work.”
