Art Brut

Art Brut  was the term Jean Dubuffet used in 1945 to describe the type of art that he collected and held in highest regard. Art Brut also means, Raw Art.  It's the official term taken by the Collection de l'Art Brut at Lausanne, in Switzerland.  Per Dubuffet, Art Brut is unadulterated by culture.  The works are direct and spontaneous. Often the creators of these works do not consider themselves artists and usually dwell outside of society. Many of the early artists Dubuffet discovered were in psychiatric hospitals in Europe.  There is a psychic power and a raw energy in many of these creations.  As for the Collection de l'Art Brut at Lausanne, they insist that nothing outside of their collection should be labeled 'Art Brut'. And, they alone have the authority to designate any new works as 'Art Brut'.
Artists of the Art Brut genre would include, Adolf Wolfli, Aloise, Madge Gill, American-Henry Darger, from Mexico- Martin Ramirez, and others.

Henry Darger

 Adolf Wolfli

Madge Gill