Roger Cardinal (art historian) facts for kids

Roger Cardinal was a British professor and art expert. He taught at the University of Kent in England. He is famous for creating the term "outsider art". This term describes art made by people who are not trained artists.

Roger Cardinal's Life and Education

Roger Cardinal was born in 1940 and passed away in 2019. He went to University of Cambridge for his university studies. There, he earned his first degree and later his PhD. His advanced studies focused on surrealism, which is an art movement.

Early Career Steps

In 1965, Roger Cardinal started working as a professor in Canada. He taught French at the University of Manitoba. Later, he returned to England. He became a lecturer at Warwick University. After that, he joined the University of Kent at Canterbury.

Roger Cardinal's Contributions to Art

Roger Cardinal was a professor of literary and visual studies at the University of Kent. He wrote many important books about art. He helped people understand different kinds of art.

Introducing Outsider Art

One of his most important books was Outsider Art, published in 1972. This book was the first of its kind in English. It introduced the idea of "outsider art" to a wider audience. Outsider art is also known as art brut. It refers to art created by people who are self-taught. They often make art outside the usual art world.

Exhibitions and Writings

In 1979, Roger Cardinal helped organize a big art show. It was called Outsiders and took place at the Hayward Gallery in London. He also wrote many articles and essays. These writings explored different types of outsider art. He wrote about art made in prisons, art by people with autism, and art based on memories.