Dates Extended for "Collective Soul: Outsider Art from Chicago Collections"

http://www.art.org/2014/09/collective-soul/

In 1951, Jean Dubuffet’s Anticultural Positions speech at the Arts Club of Chicago brought an awareness of self-taught art to the forefront of the contemporary scene. The impact of this shift has endured, carried forward by those who appreciated the authentic expression found in self-taught art. Trained artists began to seek out and discover Chicago-based self-taught artists like Joseph Yoakum and Lee Godie. Art fairs, institutions and publications emerged, dedicated to the promotion of work by self-taught artists. Curators, galleries and collectors throughout the city came forward to champion this work and continue to do so today. Because of this long standing interest, some of the most important work in the self-taught field resides here in Chicago. Reflecting the idiosyncratic relationship between art and collector, this survey of outsider art offers an in depth look at how Chicago collectors have and continue to influence this genre. Culled from both established and newer collections, this exhibition will expose viewers to exemplary works from private collections not often seen. Presenting works by Martín Ramírez, Henry Darger, Lee Godie and Bill Traylor hanging amidst clusters of work from artists often overlooked – but of equal quality – such as David Butler, Aldo Piacenza and Lanier Meaders.