7 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ARTISAN & CRAFTSMAN
What is the difference between an Artisan and a Craftsman?
Both a craftsman and an artisan are 2 professionals who are both experienced and highly talented in their fields. They are members of communities who have spent their whole lives perfecting their abilities to produce beautiful handmade objects using traditional methods. They are very knowledgeable about various tools and materials, and often use the best and highest quality in the world. Every craftsman and artisan we have used to produce the Torah were chosen based on their expertise, professional portfolios as well as their understanding and mutual believe in the Mission and Vision of The Torah Project. We want to share their inspirational and creative works with future generations of the world.
Generally these 2 individual terms are used interchangeably even though their roles have differences.
Define an artisan
An artisan produces handmade objects which are unique and decorative. These objects can be anything from clothes, living room and bedroom furniture, jewellery and many more things. Mostly everything which an artisan creates are both practical and decorative or only decorative without any useful purpose. To be an artisan means that one has to be highly creative and have a lot of experience. Their handmade objects are unique and they are considered to be very valuable.
What do craftsmen do?
A craftsman has the expertise and proficiency in utilising traditional methods to reproduce artisans’ work perfectly. This professional is distinctly different from an artisan as they have expertise in a particular techniques and methods. The objects which they produce are usually mass-produced, have low value, are not necessarily decorative but they do possess functional features.
How is technology affecting these skilled professionals?
With the new technological developments, the use of most crafts are decreasing due to the increase in various industries that replace the roles of the craftsman and artisan with machines. Unfortunately in modern society there is greater demand for mass produced commercial products which are cheap and quick to manufacture, and easy to purchase. This is one of the main reasons that the traditional craftsman and artisan are becoming extinct. Therefore the creative works of the artisan and craftsman need to receive continuous appreciation and encouragement so that their traditional techniques will still be required and prevent them from becoming obsolete.
