Swindon Art Museum Opens Its Doors to the Unruly, the Raw, the Misfits, and the Rebels

Viva Art BRUT! Weekly Art Practice, issue 75 | The Outsider Artist known as SLART.

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Every Saturday, I share my art practice. I'm captivated by the process, not just the finished pieces but everything from influences to materials. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at an artist's world.

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As of today, Saturday, June 21, 2025, there are 77 days until September 6, 2025, Memento Vivere opening night.

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Outsiders on the Inside: This Week’s Art Rebels Break Through the Gate

I’m blown away by the opening night of Art BRUT this week (16th June).

First and foremost, here’s a separate post about the artists and audios about their work. Open in a new tab to read after this post if you wish. (It’s a post that links from the artwork in the museum via QR code.)

Secondly, here’s my experience of the exhibition

Oh my god, what a stressful day it was on the opening. I have no idea why I was so stressed, but something was triggering me. And I've been reflecting on it. I was like, because I, historically, I've been quite a shy person and being in public spaces... It's not as extreme as it used to be… I used to find it hard to go outside, work and socialise. Really struggled with shyness. But like, for example, being at an art exhibition or in a crowded space—it does, it does bring up something.

I don't feel 100% relaxed, especially because I was running this event. It was triggering something, and throughout the whole day I was on high alert, quite anxious and stressed out. At some points, I was thinking, why am I doing this if it's so stressful? But I knew in the back of my mind that it'd be well worth it.

And it absolutely was. But yeah, back to the stressy part. When I was collecting the artwork—so most of the artwork was at my studio, a few pieces at my house—I went to get most of it and brought it to the art museum, then had to go and collect a couple of pieces from someone and then went back to start setting everything up.

I realised that I’d missed out a few pieces, so I had to go back, pick those up… and then I did it again, it happened twice. I don’t know how it happened twice. But the first time I went to pick up the stuff, I saw this bag with these particular artworks in it—I didn’t pick it up. Then I thought it was at the museum, and I thought I’d lost it. Then I went back to the studio and got it.

So that’s how my state of mind was. I was all over the place. And even hanging the artwork—I had a few people helping—I was just getting so wound up with it. I really don’t know what was going on. But anyway, I won’t dwell on the stress and anxiety around it.

The actual evening event was amazing.

I got there just before 6pm, and about 20 people were waiting outside the museum doors to open at six.

And I kind of felt like I should have said something to welcome them, but I'm not very good at impromptu talking to groups. But anyway, the exhibition opened, and those 20 people came in and started looking around, enjoying the art. I had my daughter with me, because my wife was at work until 7, and my daughter she was clinging onto me for the first hour until my wife got there. She didn’t want to be put down. She wasn’t crying or anything. She was okay, but she didn’t want to be away from my side. And I totally understand that.

It was approaching half six, and this lady I knew, Angela, said, “Oh, what’s happening? Is there going to be some kind of intro?” I was like, “oh shit.” I really hate picking the right moment for the speech and I hadn’t prepared anything. I’d written down a couple of notes to trigger my memory on thanking certain people. But I did forget that it was my dad’s birthday on the 16th, and I wanted to acknowledge him—and I totally bloody forgot. (He wouldn’t hold it against me. My dad passed away in 2020, by the way. But no, he would’ve been proud.)

As far as I know, he wasn’t into art or anything, but he’d be proud. Anyway, going off on a tangent—so yeah, half six came around, felt like I had to say something, and I got this lady, who is one of the local councillors and cabinet members for arts and culture—she was saying, “Are you going to do an opening?” And I was really honest. I said “I would find it hard to gather everyone together” because there were some people outside, some to the left and right of me down the corridor, and some in the shop. Trying to get everyone together felt quite difficult for me.

She just shouted, bold as brass, and got everyone’s attention as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I really admire that about extroverts. It’s something that seems so impossible for me. It’s just really simple for them. But anyway, I gave a speech. I said thank you to the staff at the museum, thank you to the people helping me set up, thank you to my daughter who was with me when I was doing the speech, thank you to my wife for putting up with me stressing about the exhibition. I went into a bit about outsider art and how I wanted to celebrate outsider artists. It’s a big moment getting untrained artists—new artists—into an institution like Swindon Art Museum. It was a very proud moment.

I don’t know how many exactly, but I’d say about a third of the artists maybe hadn’t exhibited ever before. So having their work in our museum—it’s like, what a great start to exhibiting your work. Someone said it really boosted their confidence.

There weren’t any pieces that felt out of place. It was all very different, but it all worked well together. That fits the outsider art philosophy. It’s not one style. It’s more like a way of being—different, outside the mainstream art world, untrained, and all that.

Everyone’s style was very different, and it all worked really well. So yeah. Back to the cabinet member for arts and culture—I was chatting to her, and she was asking how it all came about and everything. I couldn’t really explain how it was curated and organised because I do a lot of stuff intuitively. The mad thing was that the number of artists we had fit into the museum perfectly. If there had been any more, it would’ve been too crowded. It seemed to fit just right. So it felt very serendipitous. Perhaps it was meant to happen??.

So, you, come along!! It’s running until the 28th of June. Even if you’re in the US or elsewhere, fly over.

Then…On the 28th of June, we’ve got an outsider art talk from Stephen Wright, who set up the House of Dreams in his own house. I’ve just been listening to a podcast of his. He says he isn’t an outsider artist himself—he trained for about eight years, did a lot of fashion stuff and textiles, I think. But his philosophy behind it all is very outsider art, so I’m looking forward to having him do a talk. We’re going to stream it on Substack Live as well.

Here… https://open.substack.com/live-stream/36478

I’m just so proud of all the artists who have exhibited at Art BRUT.

Any questions or comments, please post below. And buy the artists’ artwork. Thank you.

In other news…

I got featured in a local community Facebook group post (There are over 5500 locals there): Read the post.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/158209841016711/permalink/3139918406179158/

I finally sent Heath Kane my print collab opportunity.

About a month ago, I had the idea to send out 10 of my art prints to different artists and invite them to collaborate. The concept is simple: each artist would put their own spin on my original piece, and we’d then release the results as a limited edition collaboration.

One of the artists I reached out to is Heath Kane. I’ve been in touch with him a few times… Once I even sent him some crackers, and on a couple of occasions I’ve bought prints of his work. So I’m genuinely excited to see what might come of this.

Of course, the worst that could happen is that he says no, sends the print back, or even throws it away, and I’m totally okay with that.

Here’s the print I sent ten copies of:

Prior to Art BRUT launching, I was thinking that the promo of the launch event would be the end of it. But then I thought, “It’s such an amazing opportunity to get these artists’ work seen!” so I sent this email to 150 local Wiltshire businesses.

Good morning,

What a lush day in Wiltshire! I hope you don't mind me emailing, I found your info on Google.

I’m excited to share that Art Brut launched this Monday at Swindon Art Museum — and it’s already been a roaring success!

This is the first time the museum has showcased unknown and outsider artists, making it a truly groundbreaking moment for the local art scene. I’d love for you to come along, show your support, and experience the work firsthand.

Exhibition runs until 28th June
Open daily 10:30am–4:30pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
All artworks are for sale – and very affordable!

Here's the google maps link https://maps.app.goo.gl/V7QUk99tN31sXomZA

Your support would mean the world.

Oh and it's totally free to visit.

Warm wishes,
Steve Light AKA SLART.

One last thing before I go…
I'm thrilled to share that I’ll be appearing on the Diary of a Kidney Warrior podcast soon! It’s a powerful space for real talk, resilience, and stories that matter—and I can’t wait to add mine to the mix. Keep an eye (and ear) out…

Have a good week. I need a rest!

Take care,

Memento Vivere: Remember to Live.

Best wishes,

SLART.

P.S. One more thing, could you please leave a 4 or 5-star (Hopefully not 1,2 or 3) review on my SLART Google page? Just trying to step up my online game and share my art with more folks — a little help here would go a long way. Appreciate it!