ARTICLES

At the forefront of some of the most exciting self- taught art on the American scene are religious visionaries, preachers and prophets. Fueled by an unwavering sense of mission, these artists are brimming with passion for their God and pushing the boundaries of art as they color outside the lines.

An article by Steven about how impassioned self-taught artists are frequently at the forefront of the most engaging and challenging contemporary art being produced.

A very personal article about how Steven got into collecting, and the meaning of it.

Artwork provided courtesy of Steven Pattie.

Steven is among the largest collectors on the West Coast of African-American self-taught art from the Deep South, and is interviewed for this article in South Valley about certain works from his collection being represented in the exhibit for Black History Month, one of his pieces featured on the cover.

Gilroy artist Steven Pattie is showcasing his works in a solo exhibition called “Living in Still Motion: The Art of Steven Pattie” at the Gilroy Center for the Arts.

An article by Steven about how the work of Howard Finster has defined and challenged the art world to rethink aesthetic conventions as defined by an occidental tradition.

To talk about “outsider” or “insider” art is really to ask the wrong question.  We need a new paradigm.

An earlier article by Steven about how his activities as an artist, writer, and even his work in leadership, are all rooted in his calling as a man with a desire to give shape and substance to a way of seeing.

At the forefront of some of the most exciting self-taught art on the contemporary art scene are passionate Christian people who, neither trained or art-school careerists, are answering God’s call to produce their own idiosyncratic “sacred art” – and often late in life.

Cover photo credit: Ron Gordon Photography.

Featuring artwork from the Steven Pattie/Redwood Retreat Gallery Collection.

American Visionary Art Museum