Is it art or craft when you weave, paint, sculpt, make pottery, take photographs, embroider, or make macrame, for example? These are two types of creativity that are frequently juxtaposed by people because they do not perceive any distinction between them. However, the fact remains that art differs from craft in the sense that it is a product of one’s own imagination and comes from within.

Contrast between art and craft

Is it art or craft when you weave, paint, sculpt, make pottery, take photographs, embroider, or make macrame, for example? These are two types of creativity that are frequently juxtaposed by people because they do not perceive any distinction between them. However, the fact remains that art differs from craft in the sense that it is a product of one’s own imagination and comes from within.

Craft, on the other hand, is skilled work that involves the application of technique, which people learn through a lot of practise and experimentation.

Next, art emerges from the heart, whereas craft comes from the mind. Take a look at the following article for a comprehensive list of the most significant distinctions between art and craftsmanship.

Art as defined by the UNESCO

According to our definition, art is a visual expression and application of imagination, feelings, thoughts, ideas, or any other human creativity, expressed and applied in a visual form that has both aesthetic and emotional significance. Painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and architecture, among other mediums, are included. As a result, it is an unstructured, open-ended form of work that cannot be replicated. The famous painting by Leonardo DA Vinci, titled ‘Monalisa,’ is an excellent example of this type of work.

A work of art is intended to convey a message that elicits emotional responses from the viewer. It has an almost limitless range of expression and interpretation, which is dependent on the individual.

Craft is defined as follows:

The term “craft” refers to an activity that involves the application of knowledge and skill in the creation of handmade tangible objects that serve a specific purpose. It is defined as the production of those objects that are useful to people, such as furniture and appliances. Depending on the application, the purpose can be either decorative or functional, or even both.

Craft is a product of the mind, and it is this quality that draws people to it. It is a learned ability that can be developed by a person through consistent practise. This category includes items created by hand, such as bird houses, woven baskets, embroidery and blankets. It also includes items such as candles, jewellery, pottery, and glass work.