outsidermed

Outsider med is a term used to describe a category of artistic creation where the art is made by individuals who are outside the established art world, often lacking formal training or professional engagement with art. These artists typically create work in isolation, driven by personal compulsion or unique inner visions, rather than by external validation or commercial success. The term "outsider art" itself was coined by art critic and collector Roger Cardinal in 1972, building on the earlier concept of "art brut" (raw art) developed by French artist Jean Dubuffet. Outsider med encompasses a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, and assemblage. The subject matter and style are often unconventional, reflecting the artist's personal experiences, obsessions, or spiritual beliefs. While some outsider artists achieve posthumous recognition and their work is collected and exhibited in mainstream art institutions, their initial creation process is characterized by a lack of awareness of or connection to the broader art community. This distinction from academic or salon art is central to the definition of outsider med, emphasizing its raw, unmediated, and often deeply personal nature.