American Folk Art Museum's 'Self-Made' Exhibition Reconsiders Self-Taught Artists Through Motivation

At the American Folk Art Museum in New York, the exhibition 'Self-Made: A Century of Inventing,' curated by Valerie Rousseau, highlights the inspirations of self-taught artists. This showcase includes pieces from Aloise Corbaz, Bill Traylor, Morris Hirshfield, Lee Godie, Minnie Evans, and Edmond Monsiel, representing a timeline from the late 19th century to the 21st century. Traylor, who was active in Montgomery, Alabama from 1939 to 1942, became known for his sidewalk drawings. Hirshfield started painting after retirement and collaborated with dealer Sidney Janis. Godie sold her art at the Art Institute of Chicago, while Evans drew inspiration from a botanical garden in Wilmington for her floral works. Monsiel sketched on cement bags during the Nazi occupation. The exhibition is open until September 13, 2026.