Traditional art is dying, and no one seems to care. Not only is that statement the title of this essay, but also a fact. Well, almost a fact. Since the dawn of time, humanity has continued to thrive and prosper from its generational accomplishments, building monumental civilizations that will be the very basis of modern societal structures, unraveling the most complicated discoveries and solving them for the benefit of this world, and introducing some of history’s best leaders that have led societies into the top of their game. And one of humanity’s greatest achievements to ever grace the Earth is the founding of art. Art has always served as a means of historical documentation, communication, and most notably, self-expression. However, as of recent, there has been an evident lack of interest in the traditional arts within modern society due to a plethora of unfortunate reasons. Subsequently, it risks the total extinction of traditional art, as more and more people ignore it whilst they favor other artforms. If traditional art ceases to exist one day, that would mean the erase of countless centuries of history and human development.


As we know, art is everywhere. From the small tune a child is singing to Banksy’s newest controversial painting. If people looked closely, they would see that our entire world is, and has always been, surrounded by art. According to Britannica, art is a visual object or experience that is consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination. Art revolves around a range of human endeavors that require imagination and creative ability to produce works valued for their aesthetic and/or emotional impact. It includes a broad and extensive variety of disciplines, including literature, the performing arts, and visual arts. Art is also frequently used as a means of self-reflection, political activism, or even relaxation. Every brushstroke of a painting serves its own purpose and meaning. Ancient cultural dances performed, not only for the looks, but to convey stories and emotions through the precise and detailed movements of the dance. And the sweet strum of a guitar meant to be played for a loved one. Art reflects and shapes human culture and experience by acting as a medium for interpretation, expression, communication, and connection. 

 

Traditional art encompasses a plethora of historical artforms that have existed since the early days of humanity. To be exact, traditional art, defined by Abstract House, refers to works of art that follow established historical, religious, or cultural traditions. It centers around methods and styles that have been handed down throughout the ages, frequently with roots in particular geographical areas or cultural customs. Traditional art is oftentimes characterized for its realism, symbolism, and rigorous training to develop its intricate techniques. It is always made with more tangible, conventional materials like clay, oil paints, charcoal, pencils, and so forth. Prior to the development of digital media, this art form was practiced for many centuries and is still very popular today. Much like all forms of art, traditional art is not just used as decorative pieces. It functions as a way to express thoughts and emotions, retell stories from ancient history, and teach valuable lessons to the uneducated. Traditional art has always been central to humankind, consistently helping people reach their full potential.


With the rapid rise in technological advancements in this modern era, the way people produce, share, and value art has changed dramatically. Switching from traditional to digital, just for the sake of swift production and cheap prices. No longer are the days where people commissioned talented artisans to create magnificent pieces of handmade art. Now, one prompt into ChatGPT and suddenly AI generated artworks are floating around in the internet. Although that yes, AI generated art does provide for more quick and efficient services, the bots producing these generated artworks are simultaneously harming the environment and climate by taking up immense amounts of energy. Additionally, in today's modern era, a portion of the visual arts have also transformed into digital forms, specifically digital art with online programs. And though this form of digital art is completely acceptable, as it was still made with effort and hard work, it still aided in the public transition from traditional art to digital art. However, because of this change, the public’s interest in traditional art shifted to digital art. Over the years, traditional crafts were left abandoned due to negligence from society. Many artisans have expressed their concerns of the future of the traditional arts that they have invested in. Afraid that with the increase in the lack of interest in the traditional arts, the artform will disappear. This drastic switch up resulted in artists all over the globe fearing for the safety of their craft and jobs in the face of generated art, the exact opposite of what art was supposed to be in the first place.


As previously stated, modern society has slowly neglected all kinds of traditional art. Art itself has been with the world since humans learned to communicate with one another. And yet, with the evolution of time, the traditional arts have been cast into the shadows of other artistic disciplines decade by decade. Paintings, wood carvings, martial arts, cultural dances. Traditional art will cease to exist if modern society refuses to acknowledge it. This problem is a result of multiple factors that contribute to the perception that traditional art is less popular compared to other artforms, such as digital art. Traditional art has been marginalized as a result of globalization, digitization, and commerce. The skills used in making traditional art are frequently abandoned by younger generations because they are not financially sustainable and are often not a topic of interest amongst the youth. With most people prioritizing digital media over traditional, funding for the traditional arts have significantly decreased over the years. In addition, the demand for handcrafted work is declining as machine-made designs become more prevalent in modern society. In the world of economics, people demand high-quality products for cheap prices. Machines provide that, offering fast services with a fairly low purchasing cost for the product itself, resulting in most of society opting for this choice. On the other hand, handmade goods often take a pretty long time to develop and usually have a higher purchasing cost in exchange for all the hard work to create these handmade products. It then leads to a higher demand for machine-made goods. Consequently, this phenomenon has also resulted in the bankruptcy of thousands of traditional craft services and stores due to a lack of revenue, as people no longer seem to care about buying from actual artists. Nevertheless, these machine-made designs and products are made with no love and care, unlike the hand-made goods. They are only mere commodities created by the hands of programmed machines and Artificial Intelligence and not as an output of self-expression, diminishing the very ethics and basics of what art should be.


Though times have changed, traditional art is something still worth protecting. Art has existed since the dawn of time, centuries before ancient civilizations even began. WIth its origins predating as far back as the prehistoric days, art has accompanied humanity and its growth, often being used as a tool for expression and communication. However, society has turned off its companion and shifted to digital art forms, as mentioned before. Traditional art consequently suffered an unfortunate decline. As years of history disappear, society runs the risk of losing its humanity and authenticity when traditional art is disregarded and forgotten. Furthermore, society also jeopardizes the preservation of cultural heritage and outlets for self-expression. In an interview from the ‘What I Did Next’ podcast with multidisciplinary artist Louis Barthélemy, he stated, “AI has joined our day-to-day life in the past couple of years. I see a tough future for these craft communities.” Though the increase in AI usage puts traditional art as a whole at stake, traditional art still deserves the right to exist and contribute to the artistic development of society.


Even with all of the current challenges traditional art faces today, there is still hope. Hope that traditional art can one day reemerge as a leading artform even amidst this digital world. Multiple organizations, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Center and the Saudi Arabia Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, aim to promote and campaign for the preservation of traditional art through exhibitions, education, and volunteer initiatives. Local communities and groups in Indonesia, for instance the Indonesian Heritage Society (IHS) and Historia Batavia, help educate others on the beauties of Indonesian culture, whether it be the art or the food. Not only does this prove that there are still thousands of people who care about traditional art, they are also making a concerted and active effort to support its preservation. And although the world is currently being dominated by Artificial Intelligence, there is hope for a more authentic future. In a blizzard of rapid technological developments and mindless robots, traditional art stands as a reminder of who we truly are. Humans. 

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References 

Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. (2025, August 22). Art. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/visual-arts 

Abstract House. (2025, January 13). Traditional art vs. modern art: Understanding the differences. https://abstracthouse.com/blogs/inspiration/traditional-art-vs-modern-art-understanding-the-differences#:~:text=Traditional%20art%20refers%20to%20artworks,geographic%20regions%20or%20cultural%20practices. 

DeGuzman, K. (2025, February 10). Art History Timeline — A Guide to Western Art Movements. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/art-history-timeline/ 

Guerra, R. (n.d.). What is Traditional Art & its Importance for the Painter and for Society. guerraart. https://www.guerraart.com/single-post/2016/01/01/what-is-traditional-art-its-importance-for-the-painter-and-for-society 

Digital Art vs Traditional Art. Eden House of Art. (2021, September 9). https://www.edenart.com/news/traditional-art-vs-digital-art 

Dedy Afriadi, & Cahyani, N. (2024). From Traditional Heritage to Digital Art: Navigating Changes in Culture and Creative Expression. Elegentia: IAS Journal of Arts, Media, and Technology, 1(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.62033/elegentia.v1i2.118 

Playkree. (2025, February 23). The Silent Extinction: Why Traditional Art is Disappearing Faster Than We Realize. Playkree. https://playkree.com/blogs/blog/the-silent-extinction-of-traditional-art#:~:text=Why%20Traditional%20Art%20Is%20Rapidly,its%20place%20in%20everyday%20life 

Louis Barthélemy on preserving traditional crafts. YouTube. (2024, November 15). https://youtu.be/ZdJbE7I-Vy4?si=X1Sq59l_tli63XP0 

Dolapo Obat Gallery. (2023, July 2). Traditional Arts Timeless Preservation of Cultural Heritage. DOLAPO OBAT. https://dolapoobatgallery.com/blog/traditional-arts-timeless-preservation-of-cultural-heritage 

Gitiyarko, V. (2023, September 27). Marginalization of Traditional Artists. Kompas.id. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-tradisi-terpinggirkannya-seniman-tradisi