Alexander Girard (1907-1993) amassed the largest cross-cultural folk art collection in the world. To date over a million visitors have flocked to the folk art museum in Santa Fe to savour and take delight in the bright and beautiful objects that inspired the renowned architect and designer. Girard was captivated by the 'handcrafted' cultures of the world and saw the tragedy of their demise. Yet as a collector he was looking not to capture the past but to nourish the spirit of mankind and encourage the art that we can create for ourselves now. The Girard Wing at the Museum of International Folk Art, designed by the collector to permanently exhibit some ten thousand pieces and visited by millions, continually affirms that Girard was right in believing that in folk art there are no foreigners. This book features one hundred plates in full colour and an essay by Jack Lenor Larsen. In all, over one hundred countries are represented -- African tribal sculpture, Mexican Day of the Dead figures, sub-Saharan textiles, toys from around the world, and much more.

Alexander Girard (1907-1993) amassed the largest cross-cultural folk art collection in the world. To date over a million visitors have flocked to the folk art museum in Santa Fe to savour and take delight in the bright and beautiful objects that inspired the renowned architect and designer. Girard was captivated by the 'handcrafted' cultures of the world and saw the tragedy of their demise. Yet as a collector he was looking not to capture the past but to nourish the spirit of mankind and encourage the art that we can create for ourselves now. The Girard Wing at the Museum of International Folk Art, designed by the collector to permanently exhibit some ten thousand pieces and visited by millions, continually affirms that Girard was right in believing that in folk art there are no foreigners. This book features one hundred plates in full colour and an essay by Jack Lenor Larsen. In all, over one hundred countries are represented -- African tribal sculpture, Mexican Day of the Dead figures, sub-Saharan textiles, toys from around the world, and much more.