Robert Young Annual Folk Art Exhibition 2011

The12th Annual Folk Art Exhibition featuring a collection of engagingly individual and curious pieces takes place from Thursday 12th until Saturday 21st May.

Folk Art is a generic term coined to describe both two and three dimensional pieces created by `untrained` artists.

Generally these pieces were made to serve a function, with examples such as hand carved and painted decoy birds, figurative weathervanes and trade and tavern signs.

Unlike `traditional` antiques, these pieces are not generally restored or renovated, but are cherished and sought after for their raw, weathered, richly patinated, well handled and `used` qualities.

Handsome Full bodied Butcher`s Trade sign in the form of a Herefordshire Bull,
Hand Carved and Painted Wood and Gesso with Metal Details, English, c.1880,

Fine examples in the exhibition include a life size Wool Merchant`s Trade Sign in the form of a Ram, with stylised carved fleece, a full bodied Butcher`s Trade Sign in the form of a Herefordshire Bull (image above), and a delightfully naive Sailor`s Work Panel depicting Two Ships at Sea, made from driftwood carved and applied to a recycled packing case panel.

Robert Young explains: `Most examples of Folk Art were made to pass the test of time in order to dutifully serve their function, and whilst their creators rarely had artistic pretentions or aspirations, they were frequently competent artisans or craftsmen.`

For me, these are more important than anything that has been restored and perhaps lost its charm. The weathered antiques on show at the Folk art exhibition are all for sale. You can find out more at the Robert Young website.