Women have been crafting throughout the course of history – and continue to do so today – but “female craft” is not a monolith. The types of activities in which women engage and the artistic mediums used varies depending on where and who they are. In comprehension of the ever-changing landscape, it is important to understand the various forms that female craft takes, which range from traditional to experimental, domestic to subversive, and mundane to magical.
This article delves into that exploration to explain what female craft is called, discuss the main types of craft practiced by women, and explain why women’s craft has been historically underestimated, as well as why it has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity.
Defining Female Craft
A broad definition of female craft encompasses all types of creative activities and art forms that women have traditionally practiced—from those that are utilitarian to more purely aesthetic pursuits. This includes not only traditional craft forms like sewing, weaving, spinning, and embroidery, but also textile work, painting, ceramics, metal-smithing, paper-cutting, pottery, basket-making, woodwork, flower-making, gardening, and many more. Today, the meaning of female craft has shifted to encompass more than just traditional mediums, and has come to include contemporary art forms—like mixed-media, digital, and installation.
What these activities all have in common is the fact that they involve substantial amounts of labor and skill, requiring strategies and techniques for their execution. Female craft thus requires the physical, emotional, and intellectual involvement of the artist.
The Types of Craft Practiced by Women
To better comprehend female craft and its various forms, it is essential to define the types of craft employed by women. These can generally be categorized as traditional, domestic, and experimental. Traditional female craft is associated with utilitarian functions, such as providing warmth with quilts, producing clothing and accessories typically out of cloth, making and decorating objects for home decoration, creating cookware, and furniture out of wood, and many more.
The material mediums and techniques vary based on location and culture, but the overall objective remains the same: to make objects that are useful and/or beautiful for everyday use. Domestic female craft traditionally involves activities that are often referred to as “women’s work,” such as various forms of cloth and textile work, beading, baking, cooking, and child-rearing.
The primary function of this type of craft is to create a comfortable and intimate home life, as well as objects to beautify the home. Finally, experimental female craft diverges from traditional and domestic forms to explore ideas and feelings, such as performance and video art, filmmaking, installation, street art, sculpture, and photography.
This type challenges social norms and tackles controversial topics. It is often linked to public interventions and activism, as it examines issues of gender, race, identity, politics, and sexuality.
Why Women’s Craft Has Been Historically Underrated
Historically, female craft has not been given the same recognition or respect as male craft. It has often been ascribed a lesser value, since women mainly crafted objects for use in their homes and among themselves, rather than for sale to the broader public.
As a result, the craftwork of women has been dismissed and deemed as unimportant or unprofessional. In addition, there is the stereotype of female craft being handicrafts—“a tern referring to homemade items and souvenirs made by a nonprofessional or for personal use”—which has diminished the admiration for this type of craft. Whereas the work of men has been celebrated for its expressiveness, originality, and functionality, women’s craft has been denigrated due to its recognition as being linked to simple tasks, such as cooking and cleaning.
Why Female Craft has Enjoyed a Recent Surge in Popularity
In recent years, female craft has experienced a resurgence in popularity. The rise of the Internet and the increased access to information have created more opportunities for women to share their work, while parts of society are starting to realize the creative potential of female craft and its relevance in today’s world. Female craft has become more visible and acceptable in public settings, as traditional and domestic crafts slowly transition from the domestic sphere to the commercial world, and experimental craft is embraced for its exploration of contemporary issues.
The emergence of craftivism, or “craft and activism,” has resulted in a larger appreciation for the art form in general, as well as a greater understanding of women’s craft history and importance.
Conclusion
Overall, female craft encompasses a broad range of activities and art forms that incorporate labor, skill, and creativity in order to form something useful and/or beautiful. It is essential to understand the different types of craft practiced by women—traditional, domestic, and experimental—so as to recognize the diversity of female craft and the complexity of its history. To conclude, women’s craft has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity due to increased access to information, public appreciation, and understanding of female craft history and craftivism.