Art or craft?

I was prompted to think about the difference between art and craft by a visit to the London


Inspired by Hockney

Glassblowing Studio in Bermondsey. The studio mainly produces pieces designed by the owner, Peter Layton, but the other glassblowers also produce pieces to their own designs so a variety of individual styles is displayed. Although the glassware is blown and is hollow, it is not intended to have a practical purpose (even as a vase). The glassblowers make pieces which are recognisably from the same design but unique because of the nature of their production. All this makes the work seem like "art" - expressions of individual visual sensibility, each piece unique, of no practical purpose. To complicate matters further, the studio has been commissioned to produce works for the Royal Academy and the National Gallery inspired by famous artists - one is inspired by Hockney's Approach of spring, for example - echoing the inspiration artists get from their predecessors.  On the 

Louis-craftsman or artist?

other hand, watching Louis use his 25 years of experience to make a work certainly demonstrated the craft skills involved and there was no chance of dispensing with taught techniques in the way some modern artists choose to do. Nevertheless, all "artists" use craft skills of one kind or another as what they do is still handwork. All the same, there are those who maintain that the definition of craft work means it should be useful, and do not approve of work which is purely decorative.

The visit was a reminder that the distinction between art and craft only began in the Renaissance, and though breaching the divide is possible it can be controversial. Not that any of this is likely to be a consideration for those buying the glassware, who are no doubt just looking for something which is beautiful, small and affordable to enhance their home (though don't purchasers of "art" often buy for much the same reasons......?).