folkart

Folk art refers to visual, decorative, and functional work created by self-taught or traditionally trained artists who are part of a community or culture. It emphasizes handmade techniques, local materials, and culturally specific motifs. Unlike academically trained fine art, folk art often centers on practical objects or community rituals and may be produced for everyday use as well as for ceremonial purposes. The definition and boundaries of folk art vary by region and scholarship.

Historically, folk art emerged within rural, artisanal, and immigrant communities where skills were passed down through generations. In Europe and North America, forms such as quilts, pottery, woodcarving, decoys, fraktur, textiles, and furniture became associated with regional identities. Today, the category encompasses a broad range of traditions worldwide and continues to evolve as artisans blend older methods with contemporary ideas.

Common forms and media include textiles (quilts, weaving, embroidery), ceramics and pottery, woodwork (carved figures, spoons, furniture), metalwork, sculpture, painting, masks, puppetry, and basketry. Objects frequently reflect local folklore, religious beliefs, agricultural practices, and everyday life, preserving communal memory and signaling identity.

The discourse around folk art intersects with debates about authenticity, commercialization, and cultural heritage. It is sometimes contrasted with outsider art or naive art, and discussions often address issues of cultural appropriation, preservation, and access to markets. Museums, folk art centers, crafts fairs, and regional galleries frequently collect and display folk art to document and celebrate traditional and contemporary practices.