History of the ‘Art and Craft Movement’ & its impact on Indian Art and Craft Industry.
The Arts and Crafts movement was an international design movement that emerged in the late 19th century in response to the industrialization and mass production of goods. The movement began in Britain in the 1880s and spread to other parts of Europe and North America. The main idea behind the Arts and Crafts movement was to revive traditional craftsmanship and to reject the machine-made products and ornamental excesses of the Victorian era.
The Arts and Crafts movement was led by figures such as William Morris, who advocated for a return to hand-crafted goods and the importance of design in everyday life. He and others established workshops and guilds to promote the production of handcrafted items, and to teach traditional techniques to new generations of artisans. The movement also emphasized the use of natural materials and traditional forms, as well as the importance of good design and functionality.
The Arts and Crafts movement had a significant impact on architecture, furniture design, textiles, and other decorative arts. It also influenced the development of modern design movements such as Art Nouveau and the Bauhaus.
The timeline of Art and Craft Movement.
The Arts and Crafts movement began in Britain in the 1880s and lasted until around 1910. The movement began to gain momentum in the 1880s, with the founding of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings by William Morris and others in 1877, and the founding of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (later known as Morris & Co.) in 1875, which produced handcrafted decorative arts and furnishings.
In the 1890s, the Arts and Crafts movement reached its peak in Britain, with the founding of the Kelmscott Press by William Morris in 1891 and the establishment of the Art Workers Guild in 1884. During this decade, Morris and other Arts and Crafts leaders began to spread their ideas to other parts of Europe and North America.
In the early 1900s, the Arts and Crafts movement began to decline in Britain, with the onset of World War I and the rise of new design movements such as Art Nouveau and the Bauhaus. However, its ideas and principles continued to influence design and architecture well into the 20th century.
Its impact on Indian Art & Craft industry
The Arts and Crafts movement had a significant impact on the Indian art and craft industry. The ideas and principles of the movement, such as the importance of traditional craftsmanship and the use of natural materials, resonated with the Indian artisanal tradition. The movement’s emphasis on good design and functionality also aligned with the Indian aesthetic of “form follows function”.
The British colonial government in India began to promote Indian art and craft as a way to showcase the country’s cultural heritage. They established institutions such as the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Delhi and the Indian Society of Oriental Art in Calcutta, which aimed to preserve and promote traditional Indian art and craft. The British also established industrial schools, where Indian artisans were trained in western techniques and design principles.
The Indian art and craft industry began to modernize, and Indian artisans started to incorporate new techniques and designs in their work. The Indian textile industry, in particular, was transformed by the Arts and Crafts movement. Indian textile designs, such as the traditional “Phulkari” embroidery of the Punjab region, began to gain recognition and popularity both in India and abroad.
In short, the Arts and Crafts movement had a positive impact on the Indian art and craft industry, as it helped to preserve and promote traditional Indian art and craft while also encouraging innovation and modernization.
