Asian Landscape, 2010

George Widener has always been able to calculate numbers and patterns far beyond the capacity of an ordinary person. Recognized as a numerical savant, he keeps a series of notebooks in which he records meaningful dates, numbers and historical events. Widener believes that his pieces are in conversation with On Kawara’s (1933-2014) conceptual work with dates “albeit in a whimsical Asperger’s fashion.” While he undoubtedly began his career as an Outsider artist, Widener has become conversant in art world concerns and his work seems to occupy a liminal space between “insider” and “outsider” creation.