NEW YORK—On West 22nd Street, the line was out the door on Saturday. The eager arts crowd was filing into the Outsider Art Fair in Chelsea. A showcase of new and accomplished outsider and self-taught artists, the fair was founded by Sanford and Smith two decades ago when it debuted at the Puck Building in 1993, its home for many years.
After moving to West 34th Street several years ago, the event was staged for the first time this year in the Chelsea gallery district at the behest of art dealer Andrew Edlin. The fair, which spanned three floors and the tented rooftop of the building formerly occupied by the Dia Foundation, was recently acquired by Wide Open Arts, which is owned by Edlin.
The Outsider Art Fair was open from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. 2013.
All photos © Arts Observer
“26 Raimbilli Cousins,” 1980-94 (crayon, fabric, paint/cardboard) by Gaylen Aiken at Luise Ross Gallery of New York, N.Y.
“Identity Mask,” by Jerry Coker (rusted metal on wood).
Detail of “Cotton Gin with Mules (Ginning Cotton),” 1959 (oil on artist’s panel) by Clementine Hunter at Gilley’s Gallery of Baton Rouge, La.
Fiber sculpture (yarn) by Judith Scott at the Creative Growth Art Center of Oakland, Calif.
“Angel with Listening Machine,” by Brent Green at Andrew Edlin Gallery of New York, N.Y. Edlin’s owns the company the now runs the Outsider Art Fair.
At American Primitive Gallery.
Interior, at American Primitive Gallery of New York, N.Y.
Vodou Flags by various artists (cloth, satin, beads) at Galerie Bourbon Lally of Petionville, Haiti.
“002 Dictator,” 2008 (wood, mesh, wire, papier mache, cotton, cloth, kapok, acrylic, paint) by Stroff Denis at Henry Boxer Gallery of Richmond, UK.
Detail of “Engine Fan,” 2012 (steel and titanium fan assembly, nail polish) by Vahakn Arslanian at Vito Schnabel of New York, N.Y.
Small angel sculptures (painted wood) by Shane Campbell at Gilley’s Gallery of Baton Rouge, La.