People's Art

When does craft become art, and which do we value more? Visit People’s Art to discover the work of five contemporary artists, alongside historic pieces of folk art.

People’s Art shows the work of five contemporary artists – Ingrid Murphy, Zac Weinberg, Liaqat Rasul, Julia Griffiths Jones, and Francisca Onumah. Each artist has created new work in response to historic pieces of folk art made by unnamed artists.

These new artworks are displayed alongside the object that inspired it: from wine glasses to a traditional Welsh quilt, to Punch and Judy doorstops.

The exhibition encourages visitors to question what defines “art” versus “craft” and how we assign value to each, opening a space for you to consider: When does craft become art? What gives value to an object – its function, its aesthetics, or the story it tells? And which of these objects would you live with?

Taking inspiration from the exhibition, families can get creative in our Making Studio. Get hands-on repurposing everyday items into art and reflecting on who might have been the unknown artists of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

People’s Art is a National Glass Centre touring exhibition with support from Arts Council England.