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History of Gourds | |||||
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Gourds are believed to be the earliest plant domesticated by man. Genetic testing has shown that gourds originated in Asia, but were eventually grown throughout Africa, Polynesia and the Americas. It is speculated that they made their way to America carried across the Bering Strait and by floating on ocean currents. The Gourd as used in Art today The American Gourd Society was founded in Massachusetts in 1937, but until recently Gourd Art was a relatively unknown art form, used primarily for primitive folk art, crafts and birdhouses. A resurgence in gourd arts and craft began around 1990, when Gourd Art Guru, Ginger Summit began to publish a series of Gourd Crafting books. These books, still in print today, introduced thousands of people to the incredible possibilites of gourd art. Since then numerous other books have been published, gourd club chapters referred to as Patches have sprung up and in recent years, tools and art materials specifically made for gourd work has become available. Modern day artists use the gourd to create functional and decorative containers, masks, jewelry, figures, musical instruments and sculptural items. Due to the gourds versitility, just about any art medium can be applied. As gourds are a type of wood, they can be carved, wood burned and sculpted. The fibers can be used in paper making. The gourd form can become structure for basketry and sculpture. Experimentation and new forms of expression continue to be explored. |
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Welcome / Gallery / Shop / About Cyndee / About Gourds / Art Process / Resources |