Art or Craft

"Am I knitting art or craft?" It's a question I have grabbled with more years than I have been a knitwear designer.
Mayne Island has a large population of artists. Some of my artist friends have encouraged me to identify myself as an artist. Others have encouraged me to take pride in the title of "artisan".
I belong to two art councils.
One of the benefits of membership is that new questions are asked, old answers are challenged, and new answers are supplied. If you are open to it you may just learn something.
The Salt Spring Arts Council produces a fine newsletter. It is entertaining and informative. Flipping through the pages I finally found an answer to my question.
The article was finely penned by Gary Cherneff. In it Mr. Cherneff explains: "Craft is about skill and technology and as such we judge it rather objectively because standards are often codified and do not contain those tricky artsy terms such as meaning or symbolism etc. which is why it is easier to understand. Art is about knowing what you want to say and being successful at saying it. We judge it subjectively. It is harder to understand because we have to think for ourselves about meaning etc. and have to spend time learning the language of art. Both art and craft extraordinary commitment to do well."
The last sentence stayed with me. "Both art and craft extraordinary commitment to do well."
I think because I was surrounded by talented artists I put art on a different level than craft. Growing up I was surrounded by craft. It was produced because it was useful. Its creation did not seem to me treasured. Woman knit and sewed but no one took time to watch them. It was work. Work got done. Art, on the other hand, was largely foreign to us. It was for the rich. You had to practice it. It was taught in school. Adults spent time learning it. Craft came naturally: learnt by the young.
So within me was the thought that if I identified my work as craft I would undervalue it. I fought to fit my square peg "craft" self in the round "art" space. It was not a comfortable fit. Log on to my web site: www.oknitting.com and you will see craft.
I am however capable of art. My writing fits Mr. Cherneff definition. As well some of my designs fit into the definition. Case in point...
Freya's Necklace
In Norse legend Freya is the Goddess of fertility.
Freya's necklace was made from the Milky Way. It's beauty unmatched.
In this design, Mayne Island fibre producer Hatake's snowy white mohair captures The Milky Way.
Donning Freya's necklace wraps you in the garb of motherhood: motherhood's legends, spirituality and societal role. Beginning at the collar let us explore these connections.
Nature spiritualists worship Gia (mother earth) by forming a scared circle. The collar is a large unbreakable circle worked on a circular needle.
Now to the breastplate:
Mother begins with birth. The breastplate resembles a receiving blanket worked in miniature. The breastplate is worked on two straight needles.
Finally the I-cord ties:
Mothering is the act of nurturing. Mothers nurture mind, spirit, and body. If you are of a certain age, you may recall wholesome feasts prepared by your apron-adored mother. The apron was her uniform of office.
I-cord ties lead from the bottom corners of the breastplate around the hips to the centre of the lower back where they are secured apron-like. The I-cord is worked on two double pointed needles.
This and other of Leanne Dyck's designs will be displayed during the Mayne Island Fall Fair August, 18th.