Folk art is generally not influenced by the artists associated with the academic or fine art circles and generally does not include the works of professional artists who sell their works as “fine art” or “high art” to society’s fine art patrons. Folk art originally is believed to have started flourishing in 17th and 18th century Europe. This popularity in Europe influenced the development of folk art popularity in the newly colonized Americas.
There are many wildly different styles of this art style and most of them are not just painted canvas, as many people think when they hear the word “art”. Examples of folk art include:
Ceramic masks adorned with various ribbons, laces, and fabrics, designed and fired in kilns located just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana and made famous in their Mardi Gras parades.
Indian baskets designed and woven by the Wounaan and Embera Indians from the Darien Rainforests of Panama.
Celtic art pieces which are glass sculptures adorned with beautiful paintwork referencing “the linkage between ancient pattern and contemporary abstraction”