It has been more than a month, since I participated in a Jewellery challenge. I thought that I would try and get a project in sideways for the Art bead scene challenge. Art Journey 6 is about by the work of William Morris. My necklace is inspired by his work and the Arts and Crafts movement that he helped create. It is called the The Strawberry Thief – Arts and Crafts necklace. Before I show you the necklace, here is a one of the favourite design school debates of all – The difference between art, craft and Design.
Art, Craft & Design
We often use words like art, craft, design to label and define artistic work. We also use them interchangeably at times and wonder if they all mean the same. The words “art” and “Design” could be differentiated to a degree with regard to approach and value. Art is personal (for the maker) while Design is for the buyer and/or user. The main focus of design is to provide one or more solutions to a problem at hand. It does not have to be built from scratch. But could be built (literally and metaphorically) using existing blocks or concepts. Art doesn’t have to be intentional; intention alone can be art.
However, It is difficult to differentiate between art and craft and craft and design. In the ancient and medieval periods, craftsmen were artists who produced goods for everyday use. Moreover, those products had specific function. Being aesthetically pleasing was also a function. Then in the 1550s, Giorgio Vasari through his book, “The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects” elevates the status of these three groups of creators above craftspeople. They were artists or creative masterminds and those who produced other objects (including jewellery) as artisans. Crafts that did not evolve over a period of time as their makers did not pursue innovation were branded Primitive art.
“The birth of the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain in the late 19th century marked the beginning of a change in the value society placed on how things were made. This was a reaction to not only the damaging effects of industrialisation but also the relatively low status of the decorative arts. Arts and Crafts reformed the design and manufacture of everything from buildings to jewellery.” Source : V&A
Arts and Crafts movement
The two most influential figures in the Arts and Crafts movement were the theorist and critic John Ruskin and the designer, writer and activist William Morris. Ruskin argued that the inexpensive, factory-made goods flooding the markets had a negative effect on both those who made them and those who consumed. Morris placed great value on nature and the natural beauty of materials. His patterns used were inspired by the flora and fauna of the British countryside.
William Morris
Known as the ‘Father of the Arts and Crafts Movement’, Morris dabbled in architecture, painting, furniture, and textile design. He began designing patterns for wallpapers and fabrics that were largely inspired by his love of nature. Later, when he started Morris & Co, his London based Design Company, he felt the need to teach himself the arts of fabric dying, embroidery, woodblock printing and weaving.
The Strawberry thief print that you see above, was a textile tapestry designed by Morris in 1883. It was produced in 1890s by Morris & Company at the Merton Abbey works at Wimbledon, England. Printed on Cotton using Indigo dyes (Discharge print) the fabric was made for curtains and furniture covers. Morris, remarked in one of his journals that he was trying to draw the bird that ate the strawberry and other fruits (from trees) around his country home. Strawberry thief is considered as one of his most commercially successful prints.
The Strawberry Thief Arts and Crafts necklace
Decoupaging the print seemed like the easiest way to make a suitable component. But, I wanted my pendant – focal to be more of an art component. I used a pre-cut metal teardrop and drew on it Prisma colour pencils. While I have used colour pencil on copper before, using it on a mystery white alloy was new. The standard – gesso, colour, turpentine and varnish did not work so I had to experiment a bit to get vibrant colours. Morris is not known for vibrant colours but for the intricate play of motifs. Nevertheless, I did the reverse. I have always loved the exuberance of his work and wanted to show it through colours.
I have used motifs such as the bird, flowers, berries, and the acanthus leaves on the pendant. The red and yellow beads on the necklace represent the strawberries and other fruits that Morris referred to in his journal. I have finished the necklace using a copper link chain. This necklace is for sale; a clasp can be added on request. Please write to me to purchase it.
Many of us follow the Arts and crafts aesthetic in your work and in our personal lives. Do write to me about instances where you have used and experienced it. Also, tell me your feedback and suggestions for the necklace in the comments. I am currently working on my next collection which will be unveiled by this weekend. It is happy, bright, boho, and fun. Do stay tuned for it.
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