International Journal of Education & the Arts

Citation: Pöllänen, S., & Ruotsalainen, K. (2017). Dialogue between art and craft: Textile materials and techniques in contemporary art. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 18(1). Retrieved from http://www.ijea.org/v18n1/.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ways in which textile materials and techniques are expressed in contemporary art in Finland. The first phase of data collection was to identify a population of Finnish artists who use textile craft-based forms in their art and who produce their works themselves. After that, six discretionary selected artists’ works were analyzed using essence analysis based on photographs and artists’ statements. The analysis brought out the reciprocal and complementary dialogue between art and craft, contributing to an ongoing debate about topical issues and the valuation of everyday relationships and objects. Artists are viewing their work from an artistic perspective but also basing their process in the appreciation of craft. The works of art portray mental associations with the help of craft techniques and materials. This article argues that the dialogue between art and craft helped these artists cross over borders and traditions.