11.4 The role of indigenous art in global environmental discourse

Indigenous art is making waves in the global environmental discourse. From major exhibitions to collaborations with conservation groups, these artists are bringing attention to climate change's impact on their communities and challenging Western narratives about nature.

Indigenous art promotes a holistic view of the environment, emphasizing interconnectedness and traditional ecological knowledge. By bridging cultures and inspiring new forms of activism, this art has the power to reshape our approach to environmental stewardship and policy-making.

Indigenous Art and Global Environmental Discourse

Visibility of indigenous environmental art

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• Increasing presence of indigenous art in international exhibitions and biennales showcases the growing recognition of its importance in global environmental discourse
  • Major art events like Documenta 14 (2017) and the Sydney Biennale (2020) featured a significant number of indigenous artists, highlighting their perspectives on climate change and environmental issues
• Indigenous artists like Jaider Esbell (Brazil) and Tanya Lukin Linklater (Alaska) create works that raise awareness about the impact of climate change on indigenous communities, garnering international attention
• Collaborations between indigenous artists and environmental organizations like The Nature Conservancy's "Nature of Art" program promote conservation efforts while amplifying the voices of indigenous creators

Indigenous art vs Western narratives

• Indigenous worldviews emphasize the interconnectedness of all living beings, challenging the Western notion of human dominance over nature
  • Artists like Nadia Myre (Anishinaabe) and Tanya Tagaq (Inuk) create works that question the separation of nature and culture, promoting a more holistic understanding of the environment
• Indigenous artists often address the exploitation of land and resources by colonial powers, critiquing the commodification of natural resources
  • Edgar Heap of Birds' (Cheyenne/Arapaho) installations shed light on the environmental impact of resource extraction on indigenous lands, challenging dominant narratives of progress and development
• Traditional ecological knowledge is a central theme in indigenous art, highlighting the importance of ancestral wisdom and practices in promoting environmental stewardship
  • Christi Belcourt's (Métis) work celebrates the role of indigenous plant knowledge in maintaining biodiversity, offering an alternative to Western approaches to conservation

Indigenous art for environmental stewardship

• Indigenous art promotes a more reciprocal relationship with the environment, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the land and respecting its agency
  • The collaborative practice of Postcommodity (Raven Chacon, Cristóbal Martínez, and Kade L. Twist) encourages a balanced approach to land use, challenging the notion of human ownership over nature
• By serving as a bridge between different communities and worldviews, indigenous art fosters cross-cultural dialogue and understanding around environmental issues
  • Shan Goshorn's (Eastern Band Cherokee) work invites viewers to consider the impact of environmental degradation on indigenous cultures, promoting empathy and solidarity
• Indigenous art has the potential to inspire new forms of environmental activism and policy-making by generating public support for more equitable and sustainable practices
  • Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's (Nishnaabeg) "Reframe" project advocates for the inclusion of indigenous perspectives in environmental decision-making, challenging the dominance of Western approaches

Ethics of global indigenous art

• The popularization of indigenous art can sometimes lead to cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, commodifying and decontextualizing cultural symbols and practices
  • It is crucial to ensure that indigenous artists maintain control over the representation and interpretation of their work to prevent exploitation and misuse
• Respectful collaboration and consultation with indigenous communities is essential when engaging with their art on a global scale
  • Non-indigenous institutions and audiences must adhere to cultural protocols and intellectual property rights, as demonstrated by the "Ancestral Connections" exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum (2015) which involved extensive consultation with Coast Salish communities
• The global circulation of indigenous art should contribute to the empowerment of indigenous communities and the recognition of their rights, supporting their self-determination and sovereignty
  • Projects like the "Native Art Department International" by Maria Hupfield (Anishinaabe) and Jason Lujan (Chiricahua Apache) assert the agency of indigenous artists in shaping the global art world on their own terms