"Man With Hair Mouth" by Mose Tolliver (top) and "Noah's Ark" by George Narvey

Sometimes those who were previously indifferent to art all of a sudden discover amazing hidden talents. Such artistic revelations hit Bill Traylor when he was freed from slavery. For Inez Nathaniel Walker, prison was the catalyst.

Unimpeded by established rules, these self-taught artists are free to create in their own way for their own peace of mind. An exhibition introducing "outsider art" by such intuitive artists is now on show at the Mitaka City Gallery of Art in western Tokyo.

From the collections of American sculptor couple Claudia DeMonte and Ed McGowin, the show features 114 pieces by 38 outsider artists.

On May 19, DeMonte and McGowin will discuss outsider art with Japanese artist Mizumaru Anzai.