Art 101
Folk art represents a broad collection of objects that reflect the traditions and social values of a particular social group. Folk art illustrates the themes of community, practicality, individuality and symbolism that are key elements and foundations of any culture and has been produced typically by artists with little or no professional artistic training. Styles and techniques are often indicative of the styles and characteristics of particular region or community. Not all folk art is the direct expression of a geographic community, or even that of a shared sense of community. Folk art is often a manifestation created by those that exist outside of the shared values of their community, or are who are entirely removed from their culture.
Certainly folk art extends to just about every culture and unlike many artistic movements that were collected professionally, folk art generally tended to live outside the periphery. Folk art has also been called "outsider art" referring to art and artists with no connection to the mainstream art world. Often folk art was something that was handed down from one generation to the next. Examples of the medium, and subject matter of traditional folk art is as far ranging as it is geographically and culturally diverse.
Famous Folk Artists:
Ralph Fasanella
Henry Darger
John Savitsky
Example of Folk Art: (Untitled), Henry Darger
