The Board of the organization Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. or SAQA has redefined the meaning of an Art Quilt: "The art quilt is a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure." All of us artists are redefining what we do daily. I think that this definition is a good one. Several Fiber Artists are working in a three dimension format. This moved away from the original flat two dimension idea of a quilt. There is a great debate right now to do away with the word quilt all together. Ideas change, but the tradition of quilt making continues. I think "three layers stitched together" is the best definition. And of course when something doesn't fit the definition, then change the definition.
The word Craft has changed and changed again. Early on I saw myself as a "Folk Artist" making art for the people. I had to charge more and more for my pieces. Soon I was working mostly for a wealthier clientele. Prices of raw materials increased, thus my art work had to do the same so I could support myself and not have to do another job to make ends meet. Long time serious artists understand this problem. The "Crafty" movement that is going on now is a good one. Many people are making things by hand. However, it is not a very serious movement. I like to see people being creative. A few will turn out to be serious artists. I like the movement to bring Craft back to it's original meaning: The activity involving skill in making things by hand. Skill being the key word. I guess that there are all levels of skill. That is the key isn't it? Being good at making something takes decades. So, if what you are doing as an artist doesn't fit the definition, then change the definition!
The word Craft has changed and changed again. Early on I saw myself as a "Folk Artist" making art for the people. I had to charge more and more for my pieces. Soon I was working mostly for a wealthier clientele. Prices of raw materials increased, thus my art work had to do the same so I could support myself and not have to do another job to make ends meet. Long time serious artists understand this problem. The "Crafty" movement that is going on now is a good one. Many people are making things by hand. However, it is not a very serious movement. I like to see people being creative. A few will turn out to be serious artists. I like the movement to bring Craft back to it's original meaning: The activity involving skill in making things by hand. Skill being the key word. I guess that there are all levels of skill. That is the key isn't it? Being good at making something takes decades. So, if what you are doing as an artist doesn't fit the definition, then change the definition!
