What is Folk Art and Why Does It Matter?
- Katharine Ricks
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Folk art is a reflection of culture, history and tradition, passed down through generations. Unlike fine art, which is often created by formally trained artists, folk art is made by everyday people, using skills and techniques that are deeply rooted in their communities. Many folk artists learn their craft through family traditions rather than formal education, keeping centuries-old skills alive.
Whether it’s a hand-carved wooden toy from Germany, an intricately decorated Easter egg from Poland, or a woven tapestry from Sweden, folk art is an expression of regional identity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
Folk art encompasses a wide variety of objects, made from paper, textiles and pottery to metalwork and woodcraft. What sets it apart is its connection to tradition and its functional, decorative, or ceremonial purposes. It is often crafted using time-honoured methods, with motifs and designs that carry symbolic meanings unique to their place of origin. For example in Norway Bunad are traditional Norwegian folk costumes made from wool with decorative brooches and detailed embroidery. Every region has its own bunad with a unique design and they are worn for festive occasions like National Day, May 17th. These are beautifully illustrated by the Bordfolk eggcups for sale at FuzzypegFolk.
Other examples are the colours and symbolic motifs used in wycinanki, pronounced "vee-chee-non-kee", which is the Polish folk art of papercutting. Traditional wycinanki designs feature colourful repetitive motifs and symmetrical compositions which vary from region to region. For example, wycinanki created in the Kurpie region are typically all one color, while wycinanki from the Łowicz region are multicolored. People originally cut coloured paper with sheep shears and without the aid of a stencil or pencil drew and created beautiful collages to decorate their homes adorning white-washed interior walls and ceiling rafters. The most common designs are spruce trees and flowers or feature animals, particularly birds like chickens and roosters. Other designs, called gwiazdy, are geometric, including circles, stars, snowflakes, and other shapes. vary by region. Here are some glorious examples for sale at FuzzypegFolk:
So folk art is:
Handmade Crafted using traditional or recycled materials for decoration or function.
Culturally Significant A reflection of a community's heritage and values, whether used in everyday life or special ceremonies
Passed Down Through Generations. A tradition kept alive through time.
Art of, by, and for the people. A celebration of the ordinary made extraordinary.
Why Folk Art Matters
Folk art is more than just beautiful objects—it’s a vital link to our past. It tells the stories of our ancestors, preserving cultural heritage in a tangible way. Each piece carries history, meaning, and a sense of place, making it an important counterpoint to today’s mass-produced goods. Supporting folk art helps sustain traditional craftsmanship and provides artisans with a livelihood, ensuring that these skills and traditions continue to thrive and are not lost forevermore.
In an age of globalization, folk art remains a celebration of diversity and individuality. It reminds us of the richness of human creativity and the importance of keeping cultural traditions alive. Whether you collect folk art, decorate your home with handmade pieces, or simply appreciate the skill involved in its creation, folk art matters because it connects us to our roots and to each other.
And so importantly handmade folk art uses sustainable materials to create objects designed to last and be loved for generations. This promotes a slower, more mindful lifestyle in contrast to the fast-paced world we live in that is destroying itself. Now, more than ever, we need to stop, look around us and think about how we can ensure this planet is here for future generations.
At FuzzypegFolk, I am passionate about bringing the beauty of folk art to everyone – to those who already love and collect folk art and to those for whom it is a new experience.
I hope you will all explore the collections at FuzzypegFolk and discover something folky that you love. That way we can contribute to keeping folk art and hopefully this beautiful world of ours, alive.
