The Artist
Gayleen Aiken
Gayleen Aiken (March 25, 1934 – 2005) was an American artist from Barre, Vermont, known for her naive paintings. Recognized as an outsider artist, Aiken's work, characterized by a unique blend of narrative text, imagery, cardboard cut-outs, and book creations, captured the essence of her childhood. She creatively wielded crayon, pen, pencil, and oil paint to depict cherished themes such as music, the family farmhouse of her youth, Vermont's seasons, the granite industry, and rural life. These elements were interwoven with a cast of recurring characters, affectionately known as the Raimbilli Cousins. Her work gained recognition in the early 1980s and has been exhibited in shows featuring visionary and folk art. In 1987, Aiken was honored with a Vermont Council on the Arts fellowship, a testament to the profound impact of her artistic contributions. Artworks from her vast collection now find their place in prestigious collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, the Museum of American Folk Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum. Aiken's legacy endures through exhibitions worldwide, with notable solo displays at the Lincoln Center Gallery, the American Visionary Art Museum, and the Vermont Granite Museum.
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We value the rich history of the GRACE workshops and the talented individuals who contributed to our collection over the last 45 years. If you have any information, photos, or stories about Gayleen or her artworks, we invite you to share them with us. Your insights can help us preserve and celebrate their creative legacy.
The Artwork
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