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Folk Art In Photos

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By justmesuzanne


What Is Folk Art?

I ran across this question recently and set out to answer it. I have to say that the more I looked, the more conflicting information I ran across. In this article,my aim is to set forth several photos* that I believe to be examples of folk art. I will accompany each with a brief notation. Please be advised that this article is likely to change and grow as I learn more!

What I hope to show here are examples of folk art that embody the qualities most associated with it. That is, items made by the people of a specific area and society using techniquesand materials that are typical to that area. The items will not necessarily be art. They may be beautiful every day items. And, most importantly, the artists might not necessarily be artists. They may just be folks who wanted to make something both useful and beautiful.

But this is not always the case. Sometimes, folk art is just art...as you will see!

I hope you will comment, make suggestions, and recommendations! I intend to keep adding to this article as my understanding of the subject grows.

(*PHOTO CREDITS may be found below the COMMENTS section.)

Is Folk Art Always Old?

No! Folk Art is being created every day! It is made by folks in every culture! This is a modern folk art painting on ceramic from the US Southwest.

Is Folk Art Always Art?

Not necessarily. This palm frond bowl from Hawaii is both practical and useful. Made by a native Hawaiian, from local materials, using traditional techniques, it is folk art.
Not necessarily. This palm frond bowl from Hawaii is both practical and useful. Made by a native Hawaiian, from local materials, using traditional techniques, it is folk art.

Do Folk Artists Go To Art School?

Probably not! Folk artists usually learn their craft from a relative or a skilled crafts person within their community. This Peruvian folk artist creates practical, beautiful, wearable works of art (like the one on his head!)
Probably not! Folk artists usually learn their craft from a relative or a skilled crafts person within their community. This Peruvian folk artist creates practical, beautiful, wearable works of art (like the one on his head!)

So...Is All Folk Art Practical?

No! Sometimes it is just beautiful like this Ecuadorian painting depicting a village. This painting was created by a local, using traditional techniques. It reflects daily life, and it is folk art.
No! Sometimes it is just beautiful like this Ecuadorian painting depicting a village. This painting was created by a local, using traditional techniques. It reflects daily life, and it is folk art.

Do I Have Folk Art in My House?

Probably! This quilt is very like some I grew up with. They were created by local artists, my grandmother and great grandmother, using local materials (scraps) and a technique consistent with that of local artists - quilting.
Probably! This quilt is very like some I grew up with. They were created by local artists, my grandmother and great grandmother, using local materials (scraps) and a technique consistent with that of local artists - quilting.

Is Folk Art Strictly a Visual Art?

No! Music and local musical instruments can be considered folk art.
No! Music and local musical instruments can be considered folk art.

Must Folk Art Follow A Specific Style?

No. It must just be representative of the culture in which it was created.
No. It must just be representative of the culture in which it was created.

Is There A Limit Of The Types Of Media That Are Acceptable?

No! Practical, beautiful, crafted by local artisans in a style consistent with and representative of the culture, these hand painted Mexican toilets are folk art!
No! Practical, beautiful, crafted by local artisans in a style consistent with and representative of the culture, these hand painted Mexican toilets are folk art!

Is Folk Art Just Crafts, Painting, and Sewing?

No! Many practical items like this weather vane and other decorative hardware are considered folk art.
No! Many practical items like this weather vane and other decorative hardware are considered folk art.

Can New And Old Be Combined?

Yes! This metal craft mobile made of old salvaged bits of iron does just that.
Yes! This metal craft mobile made of old salvaged bits of iron does just that.

Can I Make Folk Art?

Yes! It is just important to remember that if you want to be authentic, you should choose a medium that is typical to your locale. Study it carefully. Then render your work in a way that reflects the traditions and thoughts of your cultural group.
Yes! It is just important to remember that if you want to be authentic, you should choose a medium that is typical to your locale. Study it carefully. Then render your work in a way that reflects the traditions and thoughts of your cultural group.

Folk Art Properly Rendered Can Become History

Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt, Pie Town, New Mexico (LOC) Photographer: Library of Congress Licensing Agreement: Public Domain
Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt, Pie Town, New Mexico (LOC) Photographer: Library of Congress Licensing Agreement: Public Domain

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Comments

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Debby Bruck profile image

Debby Bruck  says:
16 months ago

Neat hub. Folk art is all around us. My mom and I were browsing around and had to look closely at your Brightly colored LOGO. We love it. Be well and good luck with your online sales.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne  says:
16 months ago

Thank you! :)

worddsplaytoday profile image

worddsplaytoday  says:
16 months ago

loved your photos

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne  says:
16 months ago

Thanks! :)

NINI  says:
9 months ago

Dam Beautiful

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne  says:
9 months ago

Thanks!

Sammin  says:
7 months ago

That's good.

Sammin  says:
6 months ago

There are many folk around us. I could even make some of them by myself. I think the folk art could be create generation by generation. There are always some difference between new generation and the old one. Thanks for sharing the pictures. It's very beautiful.

justmesuzanne profile image

justmesuzanne  says:
6 months ago

Thank you! Yes, folk art does change from generation to generation! :)

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Photo Credits

All photos are from everystockphoto.com

Black Angel Photographer: ugaldew: everystockphoto.com Stock Exchange Image License Agreement: http://www.sxc.hu/info.phtml?f=help&s=8_2

PALM LEAF BOWL Photographer: wayfaring stranger: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

KNITTING Photographer: quinet: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

EQUADORIAN FOLK Photographer: quil: everystockphoto.com Stock Exchange Image License Agreement: http://www.sxc.hu/info.phtml?f=help&s=8_2 

MULTICOLOR STAR BLOCK Photographer: onebyjude: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

PAN FLUTE Photographer: surely: everystockphoto.com Stock Exchange Image License Agreement: http://www.sxc.hu/info.phtml?f=help&s=8_2 

QUILTS Photographer:Paul Jerry: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ 

HANDPAINTED CERAMIC TOILETS Photographer: Cameron Nordholm: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ 

DUCKS IN A ROW Photographer: Bob McInnes: everstockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ 

Iron Horn Fabricated by Ernie Ahrens, at the Community Folk Art Center Exhibition "The Whipping Post" (Syracuse, NY) Photographer: takomabibelot: everystockphoto.com Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ 

CROCHETED AFGHAN Photographer: *waterlily* : EVERYSTOCKPHOTO.COM Attribution License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ 

Mrs. Bill Stagg with state quilt, Pie Town, New Mexico (LOC) Photographer: Library of Congress Licensing Agreement: Public Domain    

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