Folk art is an established subject in many countries; however, in Britain the genre remains elusive. Rarely considered in the context of art history, folk art has previously been viewed as part of social history or folklore studies. This publication accompanies the first major survey of the subject and unites an extraordinary selection of objects, exploring the threshold between art and artefact and challenging perceptions of 'high art'. British Folk Art showcases the rich diversity of art made beyond the mainstream over the centuries. Beautifully illustrating an array of exceptional objects from throughout the United Kingdom, from monumental trade signs and carvings, to ornate embroideries and quilts, ships' figureheads, idiosyncratic collages and paintings, this book provides an illuminating introduction to this long-neglected subject. Rare archive images suggest the contexts in which these extraordinary objects were made and the people who made them - whether amateurs or craft workers, soldiers or sailors.
In this fascinating survey Ruth Kenny and Martin Myrone, together with artist Jeff McMillan, trace the history and fortunes of the idea of folk art, and explore questions about high and low culture, the mainstream and the margins.