Women depicted in monochrome. Upon closer inspection, intricate lines are densely drawn in black pen, filling the backgrounds and clothing patterns.

Maggie Gill’s “Untitled” is currently on display at Shibuya Park Street Gallery. The gallery, which introduces Art Brut artists from around the world, is hosting an exhibition focused on the UK.

Art Brut, a concept originating in France, highlights the unique ideas and expressions of individuals without formal art education. Many featured artists have mental health conditions. In the UK, it is also referred to as Outsider Art.

The exhibition is divided into two rooms—black-and-white and colorful—each showcasing distinctive creative expressions. Gill is a prominent artist who believed her work was guided by spirits she called “Millinerest.”

Cameron Morgan’s works po…

Shibuya Park Street Gallery

Shibuya Park Street Gallery is an open-air art space located in the bustling Shibuya district of Tokyo, Japan. Established to bring art closer to the public, it features rotating exhibitions of contemporary works by both emerging and established artists. The gallery reflects Shibuya’s vibrant, creative culture and transforms the urban landscape into a dynamic artistic experience.

Art Brut

Art Brut, meaning “raw art” in French, is a term coined by French artist Jean Dubuffet in the 1940s to describe art created by self-taught or marginalized individuals, often outside the boundaries of traditional art institutions. This genre includes works by psychiatric patients, prisoners, and other outsiders, emphasizing raw, unfiltered creativity. Today, Art Brut is celebrated in museums like the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne, Switzerland, which preserves and showcases these unique, unconventional artworks.

Outsider Art

Outsider Art refers to works created by self-taught artists who operate outside the traditional art world, often without formal training or influence from mainstream culture. The term was coined in the 1970s but gained recognition earlier through French artist Jean Dubuffet, who championed *Art Brut* (“raw art”)—art made by marginalized individuals, such as psychiatric patients or prisoners. Today, Outsider Art is celebrated for its authenticity and unconventional creativity, challenging conventional artistic norms.