which focused on fine and contemporary art.
These awards encouraged discussion around craft and contemporary craft.
What is craft?
There seem to be at least 3 definitions.
Firstly, craft is the creation of utilitarian objects,
for people, their communities and their environment.
Think earthenware, aprons, quilts, woven and knitted garments.
Secondly, there are artists/artisans who use these skills
to explore their world conceptually.
Think pottery which becomes sculpture;
quilts which become wall art;
knitting which becomes a breast labyrinth.
And then there is the idea of 'craft' which relates back to the guilds
where a person works under a master as an apprentice
and over many years learns the skills, the craft, to become a master.
Think goldsmiths, or jewellers, or painters in the time of Da Vinci.
Food for thought.