For Immediate Release
BC’s New Covid-Ready Outsider Art Gallery
The undeniable success of the outsider art gallery Yuri Arajs co-founded in Minneapolis bodes well for his new Vancouver venture. Once named Minnesota’s “most influential curator,” Arajs opened Outsiders and Others this June, intent on strengthening the presence of outsider art in BC.
Arajs has a clear vision for the gallery. Drawing on decades of experience running galleries devoted to unconventional art, Arajs wants to educate the community on traditional outsider art and expose the public to new artists in the genre. Typically, outsider artists are self-taught and have little or no contact with the mainstream art world or art institutions. Often, outsider art illustrates unconventional ideas and elaborate fantasy worlds.
Two local outsider artists have already had shows at the gallery. For both, it was their first solo show (Arajs is a strong advocate for giving new artists solo shows) and, despite the pandemic turning the gallery into a window-based experience, they both sold work. The current exhibit, What’s to Come: An Outsider Art Survey in a Window, is an international group show of artists respected in the field. It’s an opportunity for the public to learn about the genre and includes well-established artists whose work has never been shown in Vancouver before, such as Howard Finster and Mr. Imagination.
Amy Rice – who also has work in the current exhibit and an upcoming solo show at the gallery in November – is an artist whose career Arajs helped launch. Noticing her stencil work on the sidewalk, they soon met. Soon after, he gave Rice her first gallery show. She now makes a living as a full-time artist. Rice is only one of many artists discovered in this way by Arajs. As he explains, “I look. I’m always interested in who’s making stuff in the strangest of places.”
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Outsiders and Others is a non-profit art society that brings nontraditional artists to the forefront. Our gallery is a window-based experience where you can see an entire exhibition through the window. If you want more information on the artists or the exhibition, you simple scan the QR code on the window with your phone. You can visit the gallery inside by appointment only and PPE and social distancing is required.
Contact: Yuri Arajs
outsidersandothers@gmail.com
604-499-5025
Outsiders and Others Art Society gallery location: 716 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
www.outsidersandothers.com
Facebook: facebook.com/
Instagram: @outsidersandothers
Twitter: @AndOutsiders
