Folk Art across the world

The nature of folk art is specific to its particular culture, it's patterns and designs change as a result of this. I came across maxi can, Indian and american folk art through my original research.

American Folk Art was very similar to british in that it includes repeated patterns, bright colours, and scenery pieces. It plays a lot on their history and shows scenes of a more rural America. For example this piece by Cheryl Bartley demonstrates a young America with only one star on it's flag.

African and Indian Folk Art also came under my search of international Folk Art. They show the traditional costume of the culture with vivid colours.

I also came across Indian Henna. This came from my Folk Art search because of its artistic designs and its traditional values in various religions. I really like it's swirling spirals and basic but decorative style. It is traditionally worn at weddings but is fast becoming popular is western cultures.

Through a little more research i quickly discovered Mexican Folk Art. Although they have the same grasp on colour with its boldness they focus more on the face and body.
This piece caught my eye because of the boldness of colour and the fullness of the piece with no room for further colour or pattern. It demonstrates traditional Folk Art qualities.






The decorative and well known holiday of "Day Of The Dead" I felt fitted the description of Folk Art. The holiday is centered around friends and family coming together to pray and remember friends and family who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars call ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and he favourite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

I find this holiday particularly interesting because of the makeup the participants use to create "sugar skulls". They make their faces into skulls but add colour and flowers to look more vibrant.