An investigation into the traditional elements of major commercial arts and crafts in Kenya

Abstract

This study deals with that category of contemporary Kenyan art commonly referred to as "tourist art". Essentially, the study attempts to measure ef!ects o~ commercialization and tourist patronage on production of this modern Kenyan art. As a basis for measurement, sampled modern productions in the FIVE areas of; Handprinted fabrics, Stone and Wood Carvings, Pottery, Weaving and Jewellery - were compared with sampled traditional Kenya~ forms. OBJECTIVES. { Specific objectives of this study were: to establish evident particularit~es of modern and traditional art forms and; to compare evident qualitative characteristics of the two groups of forms, thereby eBtablishi!'!; t!"~ditional qualities in modern artforms. PROCEDURE " ,~ This study employed two tools, namely; the interview and observations. For the interview; a total of 75 artists and craftsmen, comprising equitable numbers of individuals from all t~c F!VB areas of nroductions. were interviewed a.twork in their various sampled workshops throughout the country. Interviewees were asked questions that sought insight into the setting in which the arts operate. As regards observations; a session was conducted by the researcher, with a view to accertaining specific qu~litics of 3~~pled modern and traditional forms and connections between these two groups of forms. The same examined works were presented to eighteen other competent artists and designers for yet another round of observations. This latter session of observations was primarily for verification purp0ses. Information secured ~hrough the two mentioned tools consisted of short, often descriptive statements. -f Summary information from the two groups was presented in an ind~ctive manner, with ~pecifics first and a higher level of generalization following. Corroboration was achieved by assessing the quantity and quality of connections for each of the two groups of evidence, and then for the two groups together. Data and conclusions have, ...thereforeresepctively consisted of specific info~mation and general informa~ion induced from specifics. FINDINGS. The present system in which commercial arts and crafts , industry operates appears to encourage an almost equitable balance between traditional and non-traditional elements. This is interpreted as owing to the tourist need for arts that they undertand and at the same time, those sU!!i~iently in line with traditions of their creators.