Along with collecting Fine Art pieces for my Art Collection I also enjoy collecting Fine Craft, where Function meets Art and Form meets Function. What is the difference between Craft and Fine Art? This is always a topic of concern to many - it is a conversation that is always brought up at Art school and Art Communities everywhere and it could sometimes get heated as ideas and beliefs on this topic are extremely varied.
Craft and Fine Arts are both highly creative disciplines, and include many different styles and processes, which is open to interpretation and that is the great thing about the creative world we live in. To me the difference lies in whether the work is Functional of Non-Functional. Fine Art pieces are usually Non-Functional and are made purely for aesthetic purposes; whereas Crafts are items that though they may have great beauty and take much skill, they are usually meant to be used in some form or fashion.
Today the term Artisan bridges the gap between Fine Artists and Craftsmen and it represents Artists who create items that have clear functions and purposes, along with strong artistic aspects in the work. Even the word Artisan can create heated debate as well. I am merely skimming the surface of this popular topic to introduce my newest piece in our collection...Rob Cortes Night Light fixture.
You can see more of Rob's work at his studio located at The Cummings Building, 96 William St., Downtown, New Bedford, MA 02740 - during Aha Nights ( 2nd Thursday of every month)