Outsider Art Fair 2013 Revitalized with New Owner and Chelsea Venue

The 2013 Outsider Art Fair, held from January 31 to February 3 at 548 West 22nd Street in New York, marked a significant revitalization under new proprietor Andrew Edlin, a Chelsea dealer, and a move to the former Dia Arts building. Founded in 1993, the fair had previously taken place in SoHo's Puck Building, introducing aficionados to self-taught artists like James Castle and Bill Traylor. This edition featured a diverse lineup, including galleries such as Feature presenting tantric artworks and Julian Schnabel's son Vito presenting artist Vahakn Arslanian, whose outsider status is noted despite his attendance at SVA and connections to the art world. Notable exhibits included a dozen photographs by Mario Del Curto curated by art historians Céline Muzelle and Valérie Rousseau on the second floor, works by African-American painter Winfred Rembert presented by Peter Tillou and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art, and woodcarvings by John Byam, a recent discovery of Edlin's who creates art in an upstate New York assisted living facility. The fair's definition of outsider art is debated in a contemporary art world where academic training has shifted, yet the event remains vibrant with color and expressive energy, showcasing marginalized and self-taught individuals.