Paper short abstract:

The paper focuses on the creativity of wood carvers. Two opposing opinions exist – some consider wood carvers to be artists and others to be craftsmen. I’ll discuss what criteria distinguish a self-taught artist from a craftsman, who determines those criteria or makes them?

Paper long abstract:

The paper focuses on the creativity of wood carvers and their production. From the historical perspective, in Lithuania the wood carving constituted a branch of the wood processing craft, and its practitioners were primarily artisans seeking to make their living from this trade. No artisan worked without first receiving demand or requests. In the traditional village community creativity and craft went hand in hand. The master was both an artisan and an artist. The opposition between craft and art acquired distinct shape only in modern times.

Today in Lithuania, there are many self-taught wood carvers who make sculptures, memorial monuments, ornamented household items, interior attributes. Most of them sell their creative works, some work only if acquire orders. Some from this activity makes a living, for others it is a hobby. Many of them participates in amateur art exhibitions. Self-taught artists are united by the Lithuanian Folk Artists' Union, to which not everyone engaged in creative activities is admitted. A member must meet certain criteria. Today two opposing opinions exist in society – some consider wood carvers to be artists and others to be craftsmen. In the presentation, I’ll discuss what criteria distinguish a self-taught artist from a craftsman, who determines those criteria or makes them? Is it important for the concept of an artist that the person belongs to the Folk Artists’ Union? How to move from a craftsman to a status of the artist – following or breaking the established criteria and rules?