I believe that folk art is one of the branches of art most closely tied to “place,” and for many folk artists, this “place can be a facet of their identity” (McDaniel and Robertson 151). Since most of the artists are not formally trained, they rely on what they already know and see on a daily basis to produce their work. Family, friends, and neighbors are their subjects; local businesses and landscapes are often their backgrounds. When I see folk artwork in a gallery, I make personal connections with it and try to relate the scene to my upbringing. I am certain that the associations I make with the pieces are far different than those the artists intended and other gallery visitors make. Nonetheless, folk art evokes in most people memories of home in a naïve and decorative way. By not adhering to the rigid academic standards of art and depending more on local traditions, the art is able to relate better to the audience (Wikipedia).
One folk artist’s work in particular, Bernice Sims, reminds me of home. Sims is from my hometown, a small town in south Alabama. Her work has been scattered around my house and my grandparent’s house my entire life. When I see her pieces in a gallery or museum, I instantly feel at ease and am reminded of home. I had one of these moments yesterday when I viewed the Kentuck Gallery’s permanent collection. The first painting I noticed was one by Sims, and I was instantly filled with pride. She includes in her work old convenient stores and train stations that I have heard my grandfather talk about for years. Only those from our town can make these direct connections, since places “have hidden meanings known only to intimates of the place” (McDaniel and Robertson 153). However, everyone from small southern towns can share these quirky memories. In conclusion, the emotions and nostalgia I am filled with when viewing folk art cannot be matched by any other branch of art because of the artists’ strong ties to “place” and tradition.
McDaniel, Craig, and Jean Robertson. Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2010. 151-153.
Wikipedia contributors. "Folk art." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 Apr. 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2010.
I too love folk art more than any other art style because I can relate more with it. I think that it's the style of it that makes me prefer it over other art styles because it is messy and it has that style of almost childish with bold lines and bright colors. Plus, I really like the history behind it as well. I am also from a small town in North Alabama and their is some folk art hanging around town that shows how Arab use to be and in some cases looks pretty much the same.
ReplyDeleteFolk art is a good example, I agree, with representation of a place and having that special meaning. These places, in folk art work, really show the soul of the person and of the place. Traditions and identities are all wrap up together in folk art. Traditions make the person and in turn make the place. I believe that’s why this kind of artwork is so powerful. It reminds us of home and not just home but our roots and who we are.
ReplyDeleteFolk art hits home for me because I come from a very small town in Alabama. Every year in the town next to us we have a folk art festival where local artists can sell there artworks. These works are so unique, and "since most of the artists are not formally trained, they rely on what they already know and see on a daily basis to produce their work". The main theme I can see in all of these is the theme of spirituality. Most likely because we are in the Bible Belt!
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