Is Silk Painting Art or Craft?
by Barbara Gabogrecan
'Flowering Gum' by Gabogrecan
I went to enter an art competition with one of my silk paintings, only to be told that silk painting was not considered to be art, but rather it came under the realm of craft.
So what is the difference? Well, I taught Art and craft for over 20 years in secondary collages and for 18 years part time for the National Art Gallery of Victoria, so I feel as though I have the skills and expertise to be able to make a responsible and intellectual comment here.
I think of art as the creative expression of the artist. It begins with an idea, then often there is research and inevitably the drawing of a design. Finally the artist produces the work of art by utilising a craft technique of their choosing. It may be oil, watercolour, collage, silk/fabrics, clay etc.
Now, I know that some artists can simply take a canvas and begin to throw colour around and come up with a pretty sensational work of art. Basically Jackson Pollock and Pro Hart completed some fine works using this ‘spur of the moment’ technique. So, virtually their art work came directly from the expression of their idea and strong sense of colour, tone, texture etc.
So why do we have a ‘thing’ about whether it is art or craft? If the craftsman simply copies an idea or technique from another and produces a finished work, then I guess you could say it is just craft as there is no initial creative ideas to express. The craftsman is more interested in the technique than the artistic expression of an idea.
I guess I have seen some silk painting that is simply a piece of craft; but please don’t put all silk painters into the same basket. Silk painting has grown from Batik and there are many famous Batik artists (especially in Asia). I don’t think anyone would knock their ‘work of art’ and simply refer to it as a ‘craft’ item.
Here is one of my designs for a major wall hanging to hang in the waiting room of Blamey and Saunders Hearing in a beautifully restored Heritage Trust building in East Melbourne. For me, this drawing is the basis of my ‘creative expression’. I love developing a strong organic contour for the basis of my colour and decorative work of art to follow.
Apart from simply drawing, I am also very interested in the use of both positive and negative space. I like my ‘background’ to be as important a space as my images; in fact I always paint the negative space (background) first, to ensure that I treat it as an important part of my design.
Now, getting this design onto the silk is a real exercise in craft. There is nothing creative here – just hard work; but it is essential preparation to enable me to be again creative with my use of colour and texture in the final stage of its development.
If you would like me to teach you just how to get your silk painting to award winning status, as I did, join my online Silk Painting Course now.
Very good article. I love doing painting and silk painting is a unique to show your talent.Nice piece of information.
I think we need to redefine ‘art’ and ‘craft’. I think ‘craft’ should be used more to emphasize the technique or medium used, while ‘art’ should refer more to the results of such technique or medium, combined with passion and inspiration. For example, a child’s cardboard box covered with gold-painted pasta is a craft, but the love he puts into it for his mother makes it a work of art. Art without passion is not art; craft plus passion is more than mere craft.
I believe your silk paintings are art, and you should be able to call it such.
You have so much talent!
Great Article all the time. Your artistic vision is truely wonderful.
That looks like it takes tremendous skill. I work with all sort of different mediums and I may have to take a better look into skill painting.
Silk Painting is definitely another way to express yourself as an individual, i believe it is both an art as well as a craft.
I totally agree with you, although they may have some rules on that competition to follow, I think that their definition of art is a little confusing. Art is an expression, an expression that lead to making craft.
hi from Sharon: Silk painting is definitely an art. I am a silk painter and I have seen very beautiful artistic work done on silk. Silk painting can be done in many ways. It can be fine art or craft.
I guess i didnt realize people still did silk painting. I personally love human created crafts…. not from machines. I think that silk painting is absolutly beautiful!
This is an awesome way to express your feelings to others. Thanks for letting me know about silk painting.
Art is art, there are many forms of beauty.
Awesome article!
I believe Skill Painting is Both. I lean toward an art but depends because one puts time effort, feeling, thought & emotion not to mention the hard work. A craft is something one enjoys doing on spare time like a hobby. Truly whatever makes one happy for me its Art
Interesting insights on the distinction, I’d consider it an art as well as a craft!
A tricky one as it sits on the dividing line because of the use of Gutta to create a resist but I personally would call it art as opposed to craft when it is used to create a painting that would hang on a wall.
Who says it can’t be called art? I think it is a beautiful way to express your unique personality.
Wow – amazing wall hanging, and I agree – silk painting is as much ‘art’ as anything!
Silk painting is quite interesting. Thank you for letting me know more about it.
This is beautiful silk art, and I believe it is an art. It is so beautifully creative.
Nice article! Personally, I think that silk painting is a craft – simply because of the little intricacies that go into it.
That’s a tough question, but I think that any artistic expression of a talent is an art.
Awesome article. This is gonna help me about learning silk design. loved this article.
You bring up some great points about distinguishing art from a craft. I have often pondered that issue myself. I would have to agree with you. I think that anytime the maker adds their own artistic expression, their creation is art.
The “flowering gum” above is quite lovely. As far as I’m concerned, if you create it, draw it and paint it, it is art, regardless of the medium.
I think anything that has an individual touch can be considered an art. If you’re barely personalizing what the other guy can do, though, it’s probably a craft.
Great job. Amazing drawing..
Silk paintings are very attractive and colourful.
I am going to say that it is definitely a work of ART. Your paintings are beautiful and way out of the craft realm.
I think that silk painting is definitely an art. This work is beautiful.
Silk painting is definitely an art, despite what they say. The act of silk painting may be a craft, but the final result, being a work of individual creative expression, is most certainly art.
A very good selection of information about silk paininting. Thanks for such a great article; it definitely helps to me to understand better
Love Pollock’s artwork! But these silk paintings look just as unique. I see it as more of an artwork, but it’s beautiful nonetheless!
Nice discussion indeed! I agree with the article that silk painting is more of a craft than art.
I enjoy your work , regards for all the useful articles .