Abstract
In India today, craft is perceived as an inferior form of manufacturing and artisans are perceived as skilled laborers. The introduction of design as “intervention,” contributed to this perception. With little to no opportunity for creativity or recognition, artisans are leaving craft. The chapter describes the result of a program that the author runs in Kutch, in western India, to teach traditional artisans design, and enable them to gain respect and income. The underlying beliefs are that craft is cultural heritage, and money is not the ultimate goal. Results have demonstrated graduate artisans’ success in the market considering recognition, tradition, and community as well as income. Additionally, the author notes that traditionally, Kutch artisans created within a community-based horizontal social structure, where artisans were economically and socially equal. However, as craft is pushed into the world of cash economy and industrialized scaled-up production, the structure of artisan societies inevitably changes from horizontal to vertical.
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Notes
- 1.
A Master Weaver is usually a person who operates a unit under whom weavers work. He does not weave, and is usually also a money lender.
- 2.
Janakidevi, Bajaj Puraskar, “TBI Blogs: From a Village in Kutch, Pabiben Rabari Created a Global Brand to Empower Local Female Artisans,” 16 February 2017.
- 3.
Chatterjee, Ashoke, “Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya: An Evaluation Report,” June 2007.
- 4.
In-house surveys conducted with graduates of Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya and Somaiya Kala Vidya.
- 5.
Quotes taken from the transcription of the seminar “Craft Nouveau: A Decade of Education for Artisans,” held by Craft Revival Trust at India International Center, Delhi, 30 November 2016.
- 6.
Ibid.
- 7.
Quoted from a meeting held with Bhujodi weaver design gradates, 20 February 2018.
- 8.
Ibid.
- 9.
Klamer, Arjo , et al., “Crafting Culture: The Importance of Craftsmanship for the World of the Arts and the Economy at Large,” Erasmus University , June 2012.
- 10.
Quotes taken from the transcription of the seminar “Craft Nouveau: A Decade of Education for Artisans,” held by Craft Revival Trust at India International Center, Delhi, 30 November 2016.
- 11.
Ibid.
- 12.
Quoted from a meeting held with Artisan Designers , 14 May 2018.
- 13.
Frater, J., “Valuing the Unique: Craft Traditions in the Contemporary Market,” keynote address for the International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, November 2015.
- 14.
McIntyre, M.H., “Consuming Craft: The Contemporary Craft in a Changing Economy,” Crafts Council England, 2010.
References
Chatterjee, A. 2007. Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya: An Evaluation Report, June 2007.
Frater, J. 2015. Valuing the Unique: Craft Traditions in the Contemporary Market. Keynote address for the International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference, November 2015.
Janakidevi, B.P. 2017. TBI Blogs: From a Village in Kutch, Pabiben Rabari Created a Global Brand to Empower Local Female Artisans, February 16.
Klamer, A. 2012. Crafting Culture: The Importance of Craftsmanship for the World of the Arts and the Economy at Large. Erasmus University.
McIntyre, M.H. 2010. Consuming Craft: The Contemporary Craft Market in a Changing Economy. London: Crafts Council.
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Frater, J. (2019). Education for Artisans: Beginning a Sustainable Future for Craft Traditions. In: Mignosa, A., Kotipalli, P. (eds) A Cultural Economic Analysis of Craft. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02164-1_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02164-1_21
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