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Why aren't more contemporary artists incorporating folk art influences into their work?

Tambra Kinneir

Well, I think there are several reasons why contemporary artists aren't incorporating folk art influences into their work as much as they used to. For starters, there's the fact that the art world has become so much more globalized and cosmopolitan over the past few decades. That means that artists are increasingly looking to other cultures and traditions for inspiration, rather than just drawing on their own cultural heritage.

At the same time, there's also been a real emphasis on innovation and experimentation in contemporary art. A lot of artists today are more interested in pushing the envelope and exploring new mediums, rather than revisiting old forms. And while there's certainly nothing wrong with that, it can sometimes make it hard for folk art to get the attention it deserves.

Another factor that may be driving this trend is the fact that folk art is often associated with more traditional, conservative values. Many contemporary artists are interested in exploring more progressive ideas and concepts, and they might see folk art as too rooted in the past to be relevant to their work. Of course, that's not necessarily true – there are certainly ways to adapt folk art forms and techniques to create something fresh and innovative – but it may be a mindset that's holding some artists back.

All that said, I do think there's still plenty of interest in folk art among contemporary artists. In fact, some of the most exciting work being done today is that which finds ways to incorporate traditional forms and techniques into modern contexts. And as globalization continues to blur cultural boundaries and create new hybrid art forms, I suspect we'll see even more artists looking to folk art for inspiration in the years to come.