The Best Books and Films About Outsider Art and Graffiti
The books and documentaries worth your time, from Roger Cardinal's original 1972 book to the films that brought graffiti to Britain.
By The Outsider Artist editors, Editorial team, Website Studio
Updated
· Last reviewed · 3 min read
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In short
- Roger Cardinal's Outsider Art (1972) introduced art brut to English readers and gave the field its English name.
- Colin Rhodes's Outsider Art: Art Brut and its Affinities (Thames & Hudson) is the best single introduction, revised with a more global scope.
- Raw Vision, founded in London in 1989 by John Maizels, is the leading magazine on outsider art.
- Jessica Yu's documentary In the Realms of the Unreal (2004) is the best film on Henry Darger.
- For graffiti, Wild Style and Style Wars (both 1983) inspired Britain's first writers; Children of the Can (2008) tells Bristol's story.
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What are the best introductions to outsider art?
- Colin Rhodes, Outsider Art: Art Brut and its Affinities (Thames & Hudson, World of Art)
- A clear, well-illustrated survey of the history and reception of outsider art, from Dubuffet to today. The revised edition has much wider international coverage. The best place to start. Find it on Amazon.
- Roger Cardinal, Outsider Art (Studio Vista, 1972)
- The book that gave the field its English name. Now out of print, but worth finding second-hand for its historical importance. See Roger Cardinal and outsider art.
- John Maizels, Raw Creation: Outsider Art and Beyond (Phaidon, 2000)
- A broad, richly illustrated survey by the founder of Raw Vision.
- Outsider Art Sourcebook, edited by John Maizels (Raw Vision)
- A reference guide with entries on well over a hundred artists and dozens of visionary environments.
Books on artists and environments
- Madge Gill by Myrninerest, edited by Sophie Dutton (Rough Trade Books)
- A personal journey through the archive of Britain's best-known outsider artist. See Madge Gill.
- John MacGregor, Henry Darger: In the Realms of the Unreal
- The major study of Darger's life and work, by an art historian who spent years with the archive.
- Hans Prinzhorn, Artistry of the Mentally Ill (1922; English translation 1972)
- The historic book that inspired the Surrealists and Dubuffet. Read it as a historical document. See the Prinzhorn artists.
- John Maizels and Deidi von Schaewen, Fantasy Worlds (Taschen)
- A photographic tour of visionary environments around the world.
- Marc Steene, Outside In: Exploring the Margins of Art
- By the founder of the UK charity Outside In, featuring many contemporary artists and an interview with Grayson Perry.
Which magazine should you read?
Raw Vision was founded in London in 1989 by John Maizels and is published quarterly from the UK in print and digital editions. It covers outsider art, art brut, folk art and visionary environments worldwide and has run for well over 100 issues. Its website also has many free articles.
What are the best films about outsider art?
- In the Realms of the Unreal (Jessica Yu, 2004): a documentary about Henry Darger that brings his pictures to life with animation.
- Journeys into the Outside with Jarvis Cocker (Channel 4, late 1990s): the Pulp singer's three-part tour of visionary environments around the world, which helped popularise the subject in Britain.
- Gerry's Pompeii (2023): a documentary about Gerry Dalton's Paddington environment and the fight to save it.
- Between Insanity and Beauty (Christian Beetz, 2008): a German documentary about the Prinzhorn Collection.
What are the best books and films about graffiti?
- Subway Art, Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant (1984)
- The photographic "bible" of New York train graffiti that inspired writers worldwide.
- Spraycan Art, Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff (1987)
- Showed graffiti spreading around the world, including early British writers such as Mode 2, the Chrome Angelz, 3D and Goldie.
- Children of the Can: 25 Years of Bristol Graffiti, Felix Braun (2008)
- The story of the Bristol scene from 3D and the Barton Hill youth club onwards. See Bristol graffiti.
- Wild Style (Charlie Ahearn, 1983) and Style Wars (Tony Silver, 1983)
- The two films that carried hip hop and graffiti from New York to Britain.
- Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)
- Banksy's own film, nominated for the Academy Award for best documentary. See Banksy.
- Graffiti Wars (Channel 4, 2011)
- A documentary on the feud between Banksy and King Robbo. See Banksy vs King Robbo.
Where to go next
Start with what is outsider art? or the history of graffiti in the UK.
Sources and further reading
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