Ástríður Jónsdóttirdigital portfolio

I’ve long since held the opinion that there should be a distinctive mark between crafts and arts. Crafts can be taught, and learned. It’s an acquired skill. However, the ability to create art is something people are born with. Art cannot be taught. On the other hand, one can develop the artist within and it can mature with time. Craft can be a good medium for artists and one can be an artisan as well as an artist. Neither profession is in need of the other. This has not always been popular opinion – artisans have even been wrongly labeled as artists. It’s said that people go to school to learn how to be artists, although in reality they are artists, learning how to craft. Arts and crafts have always been closely entwined in peoples minds. One is an industry and the other cannot be quite defined as such. It has only been a century since art without craft came into existance. Although artistry without art has always existed, and in some cases considered art.

I would be disappointed if these statements of mine were misconceived. Crafst-manship can in many cases be art, and craftsmen artists. Craft is as important to art as words, body or sound. It is merely one form of expression. Craft can be delivered with good workmanship through a paintbrush, needle, chisel or a pen. Paintings are craft, embroidery and knitting as well. Why should one be greater than the other? Tradition tells us to label certain kinds of craft as art. Why are some craftsmen au-tomatically considered artists and what makes them artists?

I view myself as both and neither. I am not a fully formed artist. I can barely call myself a craftsperson although I know few things more fulfilling than working with my hands. I admire artists who do not have to rely on crafts. I admire artisans who devote their life to specialising in and mastering their skill. I admire them all and want to specialise myself. I want to specialise in every field I can think of – be the best at everything. Of course I know it’s impossible, but I can try. It comes with be-ing young

Crafts are not vital to art. To the human race however, they are essential. In today’s society mass production becomes more important every day at the cost of crafts.

The shorter the production takes, the cheaper it is. The cheaper, the better. I find it important to open people’s eyes to the glory of quality workmanship and want to do so with my art. When I put my pencil against paper I want to craft. When I slide a needle through cloth I seek to create art. Most of all I want to create something that cannot be measured in gold. Craftwork should take me a long time and through that process my art will be born.

I don’t recall the day I grasped that I wanted to be an artist. It has been more similar to a journey. Each step a natural consequence of the former. The journey began with my birth and I hope I’m nowhere near it’s end.

I nearly regret the fact that I have never taken a u-turn – realized my calling one day. It’s almost a loss not to be able to begin art education from the ground up and even against the will of my family. Truth is I’ve always had a great support network. A vari-ously artistic family but an understanding one. While other children played sports I got to attend art workshops instead. I was even allowed to spend hours hanging out in the artroom at school. Sometimes I worry that I’m not suppressed enough to create interesting artwork!

I look forward to experimenting with different mediums and media. I’m young and I know I’m not supposed to specialise yet. Perhaps I never will. This is how I feel today. Not confused and disoriented, but with buttertflies in my stomach after hav-ing spun in one too many circles. Full of anticipation, like a kid on their way to an amusement park.

Craftsmen are carpenters, tailors and blacksmiths. Craftsmen are butchers, sur-geons and those who use their pencil as a photocopier. Artists are all, or none, of the above. They know how to add something extra. I’m of the opinion that there should be a mark between arts and crafts, but my art will alway be good artistry - and the artistry will be art!