Posted on March 26, 2022

What Is Art?

Art is an expression and application of imagination and creative skill. There are seven general forms of art, but when we speak of art compared to craft, we refer to the creative visual arts. The creative visual arts are traditionally painting, sculpture, photography, or drawing. 

The purpose of creating a work of art is to make something that can be appreciated for its aesthetic beauty. Modern and contemporary art styles have moved away from being purely aesthetically pleasing and can also aim to create works with emotional impact that express their vision, ideas, or feelings. 

Visual art forms use technical proficiency and creativity to translate ideas and emotional power into a visual format. The debate around what should be called art is constant. Art is highly subjective, so what one viewer considers to be an artwork may not be perceived as art by someone else. There may never be a universal consensus on what constitutes art; it has changed and will continue to change over time.

What Is Craft?

A craft or trade is traditionally a hobby or an occupation that requires skilled workers to produce an item. Crafts can include weaving, carving, pottery, embroidery, macrame, beading, sewing, quilting, and many other forms. 

Historically crafts were made by a craftsperson; a title applied to people who were occupied in the small-scale production or maintenance of goods. Craft may also be referred to as “handicraft,” with their hand-made nature distinguishing them from other mass-made, readily available products. 

Original article: https://www.eden-gallery.com/news/art-vs-craft