Susan Lamb
Writer/Naturalist
and Works in Progress |
Folk art can best be described as objects that illustrate everyday life made by people who have no classical art training. Folk art is often spontaneous—the product of free time, some readily available materials, and a sense of humor. It tends to be whimsical and engaging, wry at times but more often refreshing. Its shapes are simple, its colors primary, its subjects familiar. While there is an element of the sacred in all creative work, Indian folk art is intended for sale not for ceremonies. (Sacred objects are not referred to as “art” in Native cultures.) Folk art is a personal as well as a cultural statement, a mingling of tradition and modernity that is reality for indigenous people today. It usually reflects what an artisan actually sees: a real horse or truck or grandfather instead of stylized, classical beings or motifs. Seldom produced in the peace and quiet of a studio, folk art more often comes from a little house where sand blows in an open door, children and dogs are always playing underfoot, and a host of other chores need to be taken care of throughout the day. It bridges the gap between cultures while enabling people to earn a living and maintain ties to their families and way of life. |
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