Art Brut, was brought on by Jean Dubuffet, (1901-1985). Mr. Dubuffet, originally an avant-garde painter in France, departed from the art world for a period of 17 years, from 1925 to 1942.

Upon his return to painting, his style and approach had changed into one of simple, primitive images. He focused on the art drawn by children, the insane and schizophrenics. People who were free from the corrupting cultural influences.

It was this return to painting that made him a renowned artist.

The term art brut perhaps came from one of two sources, since I've come across more than one source as the creator of the term. It is said, in one article I've come across, that the Jean Debuffet himself chose the term art brut (which is French for "brutal art"). Yet in another article I find that it is the critics of the time whom applied this term to describe his paintings as opposed to what he would've preferred, being art brut (meaning in this instance, "raw art")

As I understand it, through my research, Mr. Debuffet rejected the view that art must be aesthetically pleasing or that it should illustrate visual reality.

Also, I've learned that many of his works are assemblages of varying objects. As a matter of fact, one such piece is comprised of fragments of paintings, grass and pebbles. In another piece, The Gardener, he used plant leaves to create it. Often times he would use these approaches to shock people who were otherwise expecting something more seemly? more beautiful?

It is interesting to note that Mr. Debuffet has had contact with doctors and patients of all sorts. 'And that his idea that the patients whom created art brut lived within the artistic medium as opposed to the view of the doctors. He believed that the ability for art brut exists in everyone, yet it's that cultural repressiveness which keeps it at bay. Thus, without this repressiveness, one can freely create art brut.

But, this is simply the opinion of the great Jean Debuffet.

The following are Art Brut artists:

Laure Pigeon, Augustin Lesage, Madge Gill, Jeanne Tripler, and Michael Lonne

Pics and Posters to come

Sources:

http://www.rawvision.com/
All enquiries to: info@rawvision.com
Art Brut & Psychiatry --
Dr Leo Navratil, founder of the Haus der Kunstler at the Gugging Hospital explores the development of Art Brut and its relationship with psychiatry.

"Modern Art," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Pamela A. Ivinski, "Dubuffet, Jean," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.worldbookonline.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/168010, February 6, 2002.