Abstract
This study examines the emerging presence of Indigenous Amazonian artists within European contemporary art institutions and international art fairs, moving beyond anthropological curiosity to analyze how subaltern visual cultures navigate and potentially transform global art markets. Through critical examination of curatorial frameworks, institutional practices, and theoretical positioning, this research interrogates the complex dynamics between Indigenous artistic expression and Western art world structures. The investigation focuses on how artists with Indigenous backgrounds from the transnational Amazonian region engage with, resist, and reshape dominant narratives within contemporary art discourse. By analyzing curatorial strategies, exhibition contexts, and market mechanisms, this work reveals the structured behavioral pathways through which global art institutions approach Indigenous creativity, while simultaneously examining how these artists assert agency in constructing and performing their cultural identities. The research employs ethnographic observation, curatorial analysis, and theoretical frameworks drawn from postcolonial studies and visual culture theory to assess both the opportunities and constraints faced by Amazonian artists in international contexts. Key questions address the temporal dimensions of this cultural encounter, the strategies employed by various social actors—including artists, curators, and institutional gatekeepers—and the broader implications for artistic production within Amazonian communities. This analysis ultimately speculates on the transformative potential of this cross-cultural artistic exchange, examining whether increased global visibility strengthens Indigenous artistic practices or risks commodifying traditional knowledge systems within contemporary art’s mercantile structures.
Presenters
Alicja GluszekPhD Student, Faculty of Fine Arts, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Latin American Art Indigenous Art
