Origin: Latter half of the 20th century, particularly after the wave of decolonization that occurred after WW II
Pioneers: Wifredo Lam
Related Movements: Harlem Renaissance
Postcolonial Art, also known as Postcolonialism, is a significant art movement that emerged in response to the aftermath of colonial rule. It critically addresses issues of national and cultural identity, colonialism's cultural legacies, and the human consequences of controlling a country to exploit the native people and their land. This art movement has been versatile, generative, and far-reaching, offering approaches that interrogate not only colonial-era and subsequent artistic practices but also the discipline of art history as rooted in colonial forms of knowledge.
Postcolonial thought has given rise to a generative series of critical interventions in art history since the 1970s and 1980s. The postcolonial era was a significant advance in art worldwide, with colonialism changing society and, in turn, affecting the way people created and viewed art. The movement was born out of the second half of the twentieth century as a critical reaction to the legacy of Western hegemony.
Postcolonial art is characterized by its interrogation of colonial-era and subsequent artistic practices, as well as the discipline of art history as rooted in colonial forms of knowledge. It involves modes of cultural perception, human relations among colonized nations, and the incorporation of both colonial and non-colonial symbols and traditions into one piece.
The movement also explores the often-forced migration of peoples and objects from and across Africa. It critically examines power structures and socio-political issues, addressing social injustices, economic disparities, environmental degradation, and the legacy of exploitation left in the wake of colonial rule.
Numerous artists have contributed significantly to the postcolonial art movement. Some notable figures include Barbara Chase-Riboud, Howardena Pindell, Senga Nengudi, and Nalini Malani. Their works have been instrumental in reshaping narratives and reclaiming cultural heritage. For instance, Augusta Savage, a black activist and female artist, sculpted the faces of her comrades in clay and became an emblem of the Harlem Renaissance. Gazbia Sirry made her work a critical observation of the political universe of contemporary Egypt. Rebecca Belmore and Berry Bickle are other artists who have renewed postcolonial demands and used art to shed light on the narrative of white domination.
Postcolonial art has had a profound impact on society. It has reshaped narratives, reclaimed cultural heritage, challenged power structures, and contributed to the decolonization process. The movement has also prompted viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and provoke meaningful conversations about the ongoing impact of colonization.
© Emma Amos, photo credit: Laura Blanchard