Mercedes Jamison (1933–1997) was an American artist based in Queens, New York known especially for the paintings of fragmented faces and landscapes she created while affiliated with HAI (Hospital Audiences Inc.).

Life and work

Mercedes Jamison was a

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

outsider artist. Throughout her life she suffered from

mental illness A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitti ...

. Though she worked in many different mediums, she is best known for the paintings of animals, landscapes and faces that she created in her later years. These works were primarily painted in

acrylic Acrylic may refer to: Chemicals and materials * Acrylic acid, the simplest acrylic compound * Acrylate polymer, a group of polymers (plastics) noted for transparency and elasticity * Acrylic resin, a group of related thermoplastic or thermosett ...

, are loose in structure painted in bright colors often featuring the color yellow.

Collections and exhibitions

Mercedes Jamison's work was collected by

Victor Musgrave Victor Musgrave (1919–1984) was a British poet, art dealer and curator. Described by David Sylvester as a 'true pioneer' Musgrave was the first gallerist to show Bridget Riley and was a champion of Art Brut. Musgrave ran 'Gallery One' between 1 ...

and is part of the Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection. As of 2019 the Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection is held by The Whitworth. From 2000 to 2010 the Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection was on loan to IMMA. Jamison's work was featured in the 2019

White Columns White Columns is New York City’s oldest alternative non-profit art space. White Columns is known as a showcase for up-and-coming artists, and is primarily devoted to emerging artists who are not affiliated with galleries. All work submitted is ...

exhibit ''HEALING ARTS! - work from the archives of Healing Arts Initiative / H.A.I.''. She was shown in the 2008 exhibit ''An Outsider Retrospective'' at The Gallery at HAI.

Recognition

Mercedes Jamison is one of the six artists spotlighted in the 1995 film ''Not Like in the Movies: A Portrait of Six Mentally Ill Artists at Work'', along with: Irene Phillips, Rocco Fama, Lady Shalimar Montague and Ray Hamilton.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jamison, Mercedes 1933 births 1997 deaths Artists from Queens, New York American outsider artists Women outsider artists 20th-century American women artists