Cumbrian creative calls for 'outsider artists' to join local group

Cumbria Outsider was founded in January 2024 by Denny Derbyshire and Tim Leeson as a outlet for people of all experiences to exhibit their own outsider art and already boasts more than 60 members.

Painting by Denny Derbyshire (Image: Supplied)Outsider art is a specific genre and is used created by artists who are marginalised, those that are self-taught or other artists that create outside of the supposed normality.

Founder, Tim Leeson discovered his love of outsider art through his own mental health battle.

“When I came out of the army, I developed some mental health problems,” said Tim.

Tim Lesson (Image: David Green)“I've spent, obviously I've spent time at Carlisle on the mental health wards as well and that's where I started painting the kind of stuff that people might consider as being a bit wacky.

“Art is an invaluable tool for anyone that's got mental health issues. It's an opportunity to get your feelings down on paper and you don't have to show it to anyone.”

Tim and Denny are also founder of the South Lakes Arts Collective but founded Cumbria Outsider as an outlet for non-traditional art forms.

“We've got a good general mix on the group, but we thought we'd like to start off like a separate group where it just specialised in this specific genre,” said Tim.

Mixed media piece by Tim Leeson (Image: Cumbria Outsiders)“In the South Lakes group sometimes things can be a bit conservative and people like pictures of mountains and boats but we, we wanted to tap into an art genre that's underrated and underrepresented.

“We'd love to reach out to people in the north of the county around Carlisle which is a great art city and culturally vibrant.

“Hopefully, we could maybe all gel together, offer each other advice and work together to find an exhibition space somewhere in the city.

Painting by Mat Butler (Image: Cumbria Outsider)“In my opinion, there's no such thing as good or bad art.

“Everything's equally valid, and there’s people that might not have had an opportunity for an art education and might not have a platform for who this could be the perfect group for them to do that without any judgement.

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“Everyone can be encouraged, encouraging, and there's probably somebody world beaters up in the north of the county.”

Anybody who is interested in joining the group is encouraged to contact the Cumbria Outsider’s Facebook page.