By Steve Cooke
Borrowing the Tate's definition Outsider art is used to describe art that has a naïve quality, often produced by people who have not trained as artists or worked within the conventional structures of art production.
I was delighted to learn that outsider artist, Spencer Turner had recently won a National competition run by Creative Support to be in their 2021 calendar with his picture Portrait of the Artist as a Troubadour.
Creative Support is a not-for-profit organisation promoting the independence, inclusion, and wellbeing of people with care and support needs.
Spencer’s artwork was selected by a panel of judges to feature on the 2021 Creative Support Calendar.
I recently caught up with Spencer [remotely of course] to find out more.
He reveals that he is a 46-year-old resident in Wardle who has some mental health issues related to his autism. For the past fifteen years Spencer has been involved in Cartwheel Arts’ Art for Wellbeing project. He has a lifelong interest in art having studied GCSE Art at High School back in the day.
He currently works on his art three or four times a week and is currently working in pastels.
Spencer lists among his influences such as Egon Schiele, Tracy Emin, Basquiat, Hundertwasser, Grayson Perry and Van Gogh.
His ambition is to hold an exhibition of his work, in the meantime here is a selection of his creations.
Ok yes I will be purchasing a copy of that Thanks
Thanks Shelley, that’s lovely. The article will be in my column in the Rochdale Observer a week on Wednesday
Excellent article Steve about my Brother Spencer! He truly loves his art and I have quite a few lovely pieces that he’s done for me over the years too. I love this one especially, of my much loved Bulldog Tilly who sadly died and I asked Spen if he could do his own twist on a photo I have of her. I will attach for you to see. I Love it.