Folk art is predominantly functional or utilitarian visual art created by hand (or with limited mechanical facilities) for use by the maker, a small defined group or close companion.
It reflects everyday life, values, and traditions, and lacks artistic pretensions – quite often Naïve or primitive in appearance Generally, folk art is ART that:
- May be decorative or utilitarian
- May be used every day or reserved for high ceremonies
- Is handmade; it may include handmade elements, as well as new, synthetic, or recycled components
- May be made for use within a community of practice or it may be produced for sale as a form of income and empowerment
- May be learned formally or informally; folk art may also be self-taught
- May include intangible forms of expressive culture like dance, song, poetry, and foodways
- Is traditional; it reflects shared cultural aesthetics and social issues. It is recognized that, as traditions are dynamic, traditional folk art may change over time and may include innovations in tradition.
- Is of, by, and for the people; all people, inclusive of class, status, culture, community, ethnicity, gender, and religion
Folk art is extremely collectable in the States and has a good to strong following in the UK. Certainly a growing market and therefor one for the collectors. Some pieces could be described as marmite but the majority ooze charm and more often than not have an interesting story attached