民俗學研究中關于藝術的討論通常是在民間藝術或民俗藝術概念之下展開的。然而,這類議論往往深受傳統與歷史性的束縛,普通人在生活世界里所制作的平凡作品很少有機會能被視作"藝術"。要使這樣略失偏頗的論題實現在現代社會中的轉向,vernacular藝術這個概念應能發揮效用。它所指的,是并不自許為"藝術家"的普通人受難以抑制的創作沖動所驅使而作成的藝術;是在那原本與正統藝術世界的制度、權力或權威無涉的世界里,自學習得藝術技能與知識的人們苦心巧思而成的藝術。它是呈現在普通人生活現場與路上的藝術,有時亦是支撐人生、充實生活的藝術,是尋回新生、填補生命的藝術。在民俗學中采用vernacular藝術這一視點時,藝術本身并不是真正需要我們考察的對象。我們應當考察的是藝術背后人們千姿百態的生活形象與方式,是他們別具特征的人生觀與人性,這些都是極好的研究材料。另外,將"藝術家"的個人史與其生活社會的當代史加以描述,從中亦能生長出研究的良材。

In the field of folkloristics,discussions of "art" mainly happen within the framework of"folk art".As these discussions tend to be bound by thought of tradition or historic heritage,works created in the life world of ordinary people are hardly seen as "art."To argue against these biased thoughts in modern society,the concept of"vernacular art"can be effective.Vernacular art is created by those who do not even recognize themselves as"artists,"and is fueled by their unstoppable creative impulse.It is the work of the people who use their ingenuity to make artworks,with self-taught skills and knowledge,in their own life worlds,which are not defined by the system,power and authority of the orthodox art world.Vernacular art is the art that presents itself in ordinary people’s daily routine and different stages of their lives.People find support and fulfillment of their lives in vernacular art;they also use vernacular art to revive and mend their lives.When employing the concept of vernacular art in folklore studies,we should look through the artworks in order to see all the diverse attitudes toward life,and ways of leading it,to see the distinctive humanities and worldviews hidden behind the artworks.Those,rather than the artworks per se,are the data desired by folklorists.Besides,thick descriptions of vernacular artists’life histories and their contemporary societies enable promising researches as well.