NAEMI AND ART CODE SPACE PRESENT “I THOUGHT I WAS SLEEPING”, BY CUBAN ARTISTS
The works exhibited are known as “Outsider” art, and belong to the permanent collection of NAEMI (National Arts Exhibitions of the Mentally Ill).
The incredibly unique artwork is produced by untrained artists and is known as “Outsider” art. These artists haven’t been formally trained in art, work outside the artistic mainstream, and have unconventional world views. Outsider art, sometimes called Art Brut, had its origins in the collections of 19th-century European psychiatric hospitals where doctors analyzed the work clinically. Many, but not all outsider artists suffer from mental illness. Social isolation and traumatic experiences inform the works of others.
“The art is not overly commercial. Some people feel threatened by it,” says Juan Martin, executive director of NAEMI. “They [Outsider Artists] don’t care what is in style, nor whether their art can be sold or not,” he says. “Their motivation is just to produce art.”
The catalog of works includes important names of Cuban Outsider Art masters, internationally recognized, such as Jorge Alberto Cadi “El Buzo” and Misleidys Castillo, and other talented creators, like Yaniel Agrafojo, Gary Brewer, Isaac Crespo, Peyi, Damián Valdes Dilla, and Robert Wright.
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DAMIAN VALDES (Cuban, b. 1970) - UNTITLED, 2020 - Ink on paper - 50.8 x 71.1 cm
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ISAAC CRESPO - LAS AMANTES DE ALBERTO EL GORRION, 2016 - Ink on paper - 71.1 x 101.6 cm
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ISAAC CRESPO - LA NOCHE DEL CENTAURO, 2016 - Ink on paper - 71.1 x 101.6 cm
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MISLEIDYS CASTILLO PEDROSO (Cuban, b. 1985) - FOOT, 2018 - Acrylic on paper - 43.2 x 22.9 cm - Copyright The Artist. Photo: Eloy Costa
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YANIEL AGRAFOJO (Cuban, b. 1984) - UNTITLED, 2019 - Pen on paper - 20.3 x 12.7 cm
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JORGE ALBERTO CADI "EL BUZO" (Cuban, b. 1963) - UNTITLED, 2017 - Mixed media - 8.9 x 8.9 cm
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GARY BREWER - UNTITLED, 2000 - Acrylic on paper - 45.7 x 61 cm
NAEMI is dedicated to discovering, studying, promoting, exhibiting, and preserving the art of those struggling with mental illness throughout the world. Its work is aimed torwards the Artistic development of artists recovering from mental illnesses, advocacy for the arts and people with disabilities and the establishment of venues for exhibition.
Art Code Space was conceived in 2018 with the mission to exhibit and promote contemporary artists and designers, mainly from Cuba. It focuses on the democratization of artistic experiences: from interactions with physical works to their virtual enjoyment; and also, it has disruption as its goal. It is a unique space for dialogue between various regions and forms of expression, characterized by curating the selection of artists and works.
