20th November 2007
In memory of one of Britain's leading outsider artists, RoaR explodes into 2008 showcasing vibrant, powerful and inventive paintings alongside humorous graphic prints and drawings by the hugely talented Leofric Baron.
Born in Essex in 1957, Baron was diagnosed with epilepsy at an early age and suffered schizophrenia most of his adult life. He moved to Norfolk to the Barrington Farm Centre for adults with learning disabilities in 1980 where his innate talent blossomed. A highly prolific artist, Leofric quickly became collected by major dealers worldwide and was represented at the prestigious Outsider Art Fair in New York in 1998.
Leofric was a shy man but spoke with confidence about his brilliant gift: 'I paint because I want to show people what I can do. If you say where does your painting come from, I'll say in my head.. it's in my brain'it's always been there... With paint I can make a vioin into a whale."
The term outsider art was coined by the art critic Roger Cardinal in 1972 as an English synonym for Art Brut (which literally translates as "Raw Art"), a label created by the French artist Jean Dubuffet to describe art created on the margins of official culture. Typically, those labeled as outsider artists have little or no contact with the institutions of the mainstream art world; in many cases, their work is only discovered after their deaths. Like much outsider art, Leofric's work illustrates an extreme mental state, unconventional ideas and elaborate fantasy worlds.
Leofric died prematurely of a heart attackat the age of 42. His obituary in The Independent newspaper is testament to his greatness as an artist.
Funded by Awards For All, Norfolk County Council and North Norfolk District Council, this exhibition can also be seen online after the 12th January. The show includes works such as the imaginatively titled 'Big Fuzzy Head With Fuzzy Teeth' and 'Easter Egg Bird, with selected pieces for sale.
Dates: 12.01.08 - 27.01.08 Tues - Sun 11am - 4pm. RoaR, Redwell St, Norwich NR2 4SN.
