The first time I ever thought about “outsider” influence on an art was watching that one episode The Simpsons. Homer tries to build a backyard barbecue pit and turns into such a mess that some passing art gallery owner mistakes it for beauty and elevates him into the art scene. It is a parody of the notion of the idea that sometimes creation is accidental… and anyone can do it.
It’s a farce of course. Comedy.
But the notion of the novice outsider is not.
I am definitely an outsider.
I am not a pro. I am largely self-taught (provided you don’t count the occasional class at the community centre.) And I far too often break the rules simply because I don’t actually know them yet.
Gatekeepers everywhere will pronounce, thus, that my efforts are null and void.
And yet others of a more nurturing nature will decide that we are all students and imperfect until the day we die, so all of us are outsiders until then.
Which is it?
Being an outsider hardly puts me in a position to suggest what that answer might be, but I would offer that notions of “revitalizing energy”, “fresh blood” and “new talent” are not cliche by accident. I think many people recognize that outsiders can break barriers and unclog stuck patterns, maybe even helping those entrenched on the inside, offering inspiration or change.
I’m not saying my noodling art will do that by some deliberate design or effort, but I think the possibility of such accidental insight means we shouldn’t simply dismiss outsiders either.
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