“Refined,” “delicate,” “imaginative,” “original” – are just a few of the words used to describe an exciting exhibition of disabled “art brut” Japanese artists that opens in Paris this month.

The expression “art brut” refers to so-called “outsiders” or “art students,” who are outside the formal, accepted stream of art schools, galleries, and well known artists. Art Brut was excluded from traditional or social preconceptions of art by an educated elite who did not view this work highly.

An exhibition of “Art Brut Japonais” (Japanese art brut) will open on 24 March at La Halle Saint Pierre, Musée d'Art Brut, 2 rue Ronsard, Paris. The nearest metro stations are Anvers and Abbesses. La Halle Saint Pierre is just down the hill from Monmartre Cathedral. The Nippon Foundation-supported exhibition will be held until 2 January 2011.

La Halle Saint Pierre, Museum of Art, Paris

It will present the work of 63 contemporary disabled Japanese artists and more than 1,000 of their creations -- drawings, paintings and numerous sculptures. This is the first time a project of this scale will be presented outside Japan. The works of Art Brut from Japan are all unique, chosen carefully by Martine Lusardy, the director of exhibitions for La Halle Saint Pierre Museum of Art.

Ms. Lusardy travelled to Japan last fall to make the selections at the Borderless Art Museum NO-MA, run by the Social Welfare Department of Shiga Prefecture.” During her visit, Lusardy was quoted as saying: “The world will be focused on the contents of this exhibition.”

Art Brut Japonaise poster displayed in Paris

La Halle Saint Pierre considers the choice of topics and methods of representation in this exhibition to be so original that they will inspire many new alternatives, ideas, and benchmarks. The inventiveness of these self-taught artists is considered to have universal significance.

Art Brut is said to be an “open territory,” its borders constantly evolving. In the case of the Art Brut Japonais exhibition, it provides society with an astonishing demonstration of this point of view.

Of the sixty or so artists whose works are shown in the exhibit, most live in, or are associated with, facilities for the mentally disabled. They suffer from different disorders, such as autism or Down’s syndrome, and must overcome intellectual handicaps, dysfunctions and other difficulties in adapting to the cultural demands of society.

The authors of these works have taken their subjects and their means of expression from their own inner depths, utterly oblivious and unconcerned by the need to make a stylistic statement, impose their personality, or seek social recognition. Taken together, their works form a rich mosaic of expressions saturated with inner meaning.

The display of these works in Japan and abroad is expected to improve Japanese society's perception of the disabled. Also, this opening up of Japanese culture to the notion of Art Brut raises the universal question of the relationships between art and its sources, its limits and those who produce it.

The Art Brut Japonais Exhibit will tour New York, Rome and London following its time in Paris.