ART BRUT Meaning and
Definition
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Art Brut, also known as Outsider Art, is a term that emerged in the mid-20th century to describe a genre of art created by individuals who are often untrained, self-taught, or exist outside mainstream artistic circles. The term "art brut" was coined by French artist Jean Dubuffet in 1945, derived from the French phrase "brut de décoffrage," meaning raw or unrefined.
Art Brut encompasses a wide range of artistic expressions, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, collages, and assemblages. What sets Art Brut apart is its raw and spontaneous nature, often characterized by intensely personal and idiosyncratic imagery. Artists working within this genre often express an uninhibited sense of creativity, tapping into their innermost emotions and experiences without the constraints of societal or aesthetic conventions.
The artworks of Art Brut artists are notable for their lack of traditional artistic techniques or formal training. These artists typically work in isolation and their creations often display a naiveté and authenticity that is unmediated by traditional artistic influences. Art Brut offers a glimpse into the untamed and unfiltered creative spirit, capturing a sense of urgency, originality, and raw expression.
Art Brut challenges the traditional notions of what qualifies as art and confronts the boundaries between creativity and pathology. It celebrates the power of art as a personal and subjective expression that transcends societal norms, revealing the depths of human experience and the universality of artistic expression. In its uniqueness and unadulterated form, Art Brut encourages us to reevaluate our preconceived notions about artistic mastery and invites us to embrace the limitless possibilities of self-expression.
Etymology of ART BRUT
The word "Art Brut" is of French origin. It was coined by French artist Jean Dubuffet in the 1940s. "Art" in this context refers to artistic creation, while "Brut" can be translated as "raw" or "unrefined" in English. Thus, the term "Art Brut" can be understood as "raw art" or "unrefined art". Dubuffet used this term to describe artworks created outside the boundaries of traditional art, often produced by people with no formal artistic training or those deemed as outsiders of the art world, such as psychiatric patients, prisoners, or children.
