Outsider Inside York Exhibition

Outsider Inside York – An Exhibition of Words and Pictures

 Art of Protest Gallery, 11 Walmgate, York, YO1 9TX

Opening: February 1st – February 16th, 2025

 The Art of Protest Gallery is excited to present Outsider Inside York, a dynamic new group exhibition that examines the power of art as catharsis and resistance. From February 1st to 16th, this exhibition will feature a selection of artists whose works defy mainstream artistic conventions and explore the role of visual art and written words in activism. The exhibition celebrates individuals whose unique personal experiences—ranging from life in prison and military service to neurodivergence—have shaped their creativity.

The concept of “Outsider Art” traces its roots to French artist Jean Dubuffet, who in 1945 coined the term “Art Brut” to describe art produced outside the boundaries of traditional culture. Today, Outsider Art remains a vital form of expression for those challenging societal norms. Outsider Inside York is a platform for UK-based artists whose diverse stories offer new perspectives and reveal art’s transformative power in overcoming adversity.

Featured Artists

Kevin McNulty (Boxxhead)
Boxxhead, the pseudonym of York-based mixed-media artist Kevin McNulty, is known for his expressive works that combine screen prints, large-scale original pieces on canvas, and paper. His Aura collection, showcased in 2023 at Art of Protest, reflected his personal experiences living with epilepsy, capturing the challenges of navigating the modern world with a neurological condition. Drawing influence from Neo-Expressionism, Surrealism, and figures such as Einstein, Boxxhead’s art blends stencilled layers, automatic mark-making, and hand-drawn images. His child-like approach to complex social and political issues presents unfiltered narratives that speak to a 21st-century audience, fusing words and images with raw emotion and provocative insight

Kevin Devonport
 Kevin Devonport’s gateway into the art world began while serving a prison sentence for drug offenses. After years in the British Army, including active tours in Northern Ireland, Kevin was diagnosed with PTSD, which led him to prison and, ultimately, to painting as a form of self-expression. Despite lacking formal artistic qualifications, Kevin’s work has received national acclaim, including the Koestler Award for painting and prestigious recognitions such as the Leonardo de Vinci International Artist Award and The Olympic Art Prize. 

Peter Stapleton
Peter Stapleton’s creativity began unexpectedly behind prison walls. After spending 22 years incarcerated, Peter discovered a previously unknown ability for painting during a prison art class. Given a canvas and paints, because the tutor had ran out of pencils, during a visit from the home secretory, Peter’s 1^st ever painting was instantly recognised as a skilled reproduction of an image in a magazine. During the latter part of his sentence, he completed a Fine Art Degree focusing on oil painting. His art practice has developed ideas and questions of masking and the role of institutions in forming the type of people we are believed to be. 

Neil Bunting
 Neil Bunting, who passed away in 2024, left behind a creative echo of his life through art and music. Having struggled with mental health issues and personal loss throughout his life, Neil found solace in creating intricate visual art and composing music. His works offer insight into his internal world and how he used his creativity to balance challenges he faced living in this world. His music compositions, aired on BBC Radio 6, and while his unique artwork inspired those who saw it none of the work was ever exhibited in his lifetime. 

Geoff Beacon
Geoff Beacon’s poetry journey began in 1992 with a friendly competition with his daughter, later leading him to write for Longman’s Mapping Awareness magazine. Geoff’s work is deeply engaged with activism and local politics, particularly in York, where he has become a well-known figure. His latest poetry collection, Foreboding, brings together his poems from 1992 to the present day, offering a unique voice for social change and reflecting the ongoing human experience through powerful, politically charged language.

Outsider Inside York invites viewers to engage with a range of art that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The exhibition celebrates the diverse voices of artists who have used creativity to reshape their lives and challenge the status quo.