Book on artists on the fringe

Marc Steene, founder and director of Outside In, the awardwinning charity that “seeks to create a fairer art world and to celebrate the diversity of creators in our communities”, tells of its work in a new book: Outside In: Exploring the Margins of Art.

Formerly executive director at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, Brighton-based Marc includes the work of a range of artists traditionally excluded from artistic debates and features an interview with Grayson Perry.

There are numerous artists from Sussex whose work is featured in the book including Andy Hood, Tess Springall, Charles Devus, Chaz Waldren, Martin Phillmore, David Puttick, Drew Fox and Gary Williams.

Spokesman Matthew Forbes-dale said: “The exclusive global art market is one which few aspiring artists manage to penetrate. How, then, can a creative person with virtually no arts engagement or formal training, perhaps with mental or other significant health issues, disability, or experiencing difficult social circumstances, find a way in? Witnessing the treatment of people in a day centre took author Marc Steene on a journey which led to the establishment of Outside In, a charity championing and promoting the work by artists encountering significant barriers and with the aim of creating a fairer art world.”

Grayson Perry, who is featured in the book, said: “This is a super book that really seems to deeply understand the sort of art I love more than any other, what is commonly called Outsider Art. Ever since I was a student these artists have been a huge influence and comfort.”