American Self-Taught Art

by Laffal, Florence

• ISBN13: 9780786416691
• ISBN10: 0786416696
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-11-01
• Publisher: McFarland Publishing

Summary

This culminating analysis by two of the greatest experts of the outsider art world begins by explaining what self-taught art is. Then comparative studies are presented of trends in self-taught art, divided by gender, race and region, and examining such issues as education, employment, and personal circumstances. The 1,319 capsule biographies give dates, location, origins, education, employment, style, media, themes and unusual characteristics. Examples of 44 categories (such as collage, painting, wood carving, metal sculpture); styles (e.g., abstract, rudimentary, surrealistic); and themes (examples: animals, death, humor, politics, religion, vehicles, words). A lengthy discussion and integration of findings follows.

Author Biography

Artist and art educator Florence Laffal was editor and publisher of Folk Art Finder for twenty years Yale psychologist Julius Laffal has published numerous articles and books. They are both recipients of the Folk Art Society of America award of distinction. They live in Essex, Connecticut

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Foreword by Tom Patterson	1	(4)
Introduction	5	(4)
1. The Emergence of American Folk Art in the Twentieth Century	9	(11)
2. Comparative Studies of Self-Taught Art	20	(18)
3. Capsule Biographies of Artists	38	(117)
4. Selected Examples: Media, Style, Subjects and Themes	155	(109)
5. Discussion and Integration of Findings	264	(27)
Appendix: Chronology of Events	291	(10)
Bibliography	301	(8)
Index	309