When does a quilt stop being craft and start being art? It’s a question full of sexist overtones, writes the novelist Tracy Chevalier, but there’s a Swedish ‘third way’ that changes everything
The art versus craft debate is almost as old as the question: “What is art?” Boiled down to its gnarly, still disputable essence, art is created to make us think and feel, while craft is made to be used. A painting on a wall makes us ponder, whereas knitted scarves keep us warm, ceramic vases hold flowers upright and embroidered tablecloths cover tables.
Historically, art was made only by middle- and upper-class men. Outliers such as women, the working-class and minorities didn’t have the time or resources to learn to paint professionally. There were social as well as financial barriers: women weren’t allowed to study life drawing at the Royal Academy until the 1890s for fear they would see nudity. Craft, on the other hand, has always been available to more people because making something useful is valued in daily life, even if its price tag is far below that of a work of art.
