folk art

American  

noun

1. artistic works, as paintings, sculpture, basketry, and utensils, produced typically in cultural isolation by untrained often anonymous artists or by artisans of varying degrees of skill and marked by such attributes as highly decorative design, bright bold colors, flattened perspective, strong forms in simple arrangements, and immediacy of meaning.

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folk art British  

noun

1. the visual arts, music, drama, dance, or literature originating from, or traditional to, the common people of a country

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Other Word Forms

• folkartist
  noun
• folk-art
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of folk art

First recorded in 1920–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

folk art

Ethnographer Imre Romsics said paprika became an important symbol of Hungarian identity during the 19th century, "alongside costume, folk art and other traditions".

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

One of the highlights are the lots containing the Northumberland folk art creations from the Branxton Cement Menagerie.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Simakis calls the group’s vision for the space “unrelenting joy mixed with benevolent chaos,” as well as “a beautiful folk art museum that’s also a space rave.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026

The audio memes in particular sparked an interest in folk art, which she says wouldn’t have otherwise grabbed their attention.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025

The Vic was amazing, a museumworthy piece of unintentional folk art.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

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