I hate the phrase special needs, but just this once, I'll set aside my own prejudices and go with it, because the Outsiders festival is so astounding.
This is art by people with special needs. Great art. Amazing art.
Here's Mark Conway, somebody who would once have been dismissed as retarded, yet who displays astonishing gifts. Have a look at these pictures. Have a look at these artifacts, made by a man with no training, in secret, from scraps of metal found in a bin.
Now, I know they're just planes and trains and trucks, but look at the proportion, the detail and the humour. They're made from scrap metal out of the bin, for God's sake!
Jesus Christ!
I happened to bump into Mark this morning with Daniel Vais, artistic director of the festival, and of course, you know how I feel about people who call themselves artists. I'm in the Hermann Goering school of cultural appreciation.
But for fucksake, have a look at these things, made by a man with supposedly special needs. Mark worked out all the techniques for himself without tuition.
Would you be able to do that?
Would I?
No chance.
The Outsiders festival continues until the 10th May.
Here's the timetable. Make sure to visit some of the stuff.
| Wednesday 7th May | |
| Belltable 11 am | Inside I'm Dancing |
| Disability is a state of mind. Film about two Dubliners seeking independent lives. | |
| Daghda dance | Art and the occult |
| A talk by Breda Lynch | |
| Thursday 8th May | Corali dance company |
| Friday 9th May | Corali Dance workshop |
| Daghda | Book launch of Outsider |
| Daffy's Bar | Outsider music |
| All week | |
| White House Bar | She's a beauty |
| Mark Conway's metal sculptures | |
| Limerick Printmakers | John the painter |
| Outsider visual artist |
How cool is the little BMW label?
Brilliant!
Amazing!
Wow, very neat!
Cool tank.
I accidentally deleted Limerick Gal's comment. Sorry! I'm a fool.
Amazing stuff. I'm glad Mark's getting the recognition he deserves through the festival.
phew!, Bock
I thought you were starting to sort us out…'banned, all gals who say, "Amazing!"'
;D
yer not a fool, just 'enter' button challenged maybe :)
looks good enough make a road trip… glad artistic endeavors like this get a dedicated event….
Jesus, many a "professional" model maker would be envious of such a display! The guy's brilliant!!
Thanks Bock for placing this up,it's great to see.I like yourself hate these words Special Needs etc (they are a form of labelling) but it has to be to identify and help different areas as i was told by a Psychologist once.
Incredible work in those photos.
It's not the labelling I have a problem with. We're all labelled one way or another. It's the insipid, meaningless language I hate.
to quote your good self ,
"Bloodless Therapy Speak"..
Hello. I also have some 'special needs'. Please apply in private to find out more. Discretion assured. Bocks number 1522.