Greg Pelner Biography (1968-Present)

Born in Los Angeles, Greg Pelner began showing an interest in art at age three. Despite the challenges he faces as a person with autism and epilepsy, Pelner has achieved acclaim for his distinctive drawings and sculptures. Working in a variety of media including pastel, oil, acrylic, clay, and tinfoil, Pelner creates images derived from popular culture and from the world around him. His drawings of angels, nudes, and portraits of people he knows are boldly rendered,dramatically designed, and explode with expression and humor. Pelner's art has been widely exhibited and is included in many private outsider art collections. One of his drawings was used as the signature image for the American Visionary Art Museum's exhibition, "Wind in My Hair" in 1996. Greg's work is in many important outsider art collections as well as the permanent collection of the International Folk Art Museum. Greg has also taught workshops in California on how to create silver foil sculptures to other people with autism.