How Do You Decolonize Art History?

Art|Art History

Decolonizing art history is a complex process of re-examining the traditional boundaries and language of the discipline. The traditional Eurocentric view of art history has for centuries excluded non-Western perspectives and silenced voices from the Global South.

It is an important step in creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, artists, and scholars. By decolonizing art history, we can broaden our understanding of the multiple histories and cultures that have shaped our world.

In order to effectively decolonize art history, it is important to recognize the historical context in which it was constructed. This means acknowledging how European colonialism has played a role in shaping our understanding of art and its histories.

We must also recognize how certain groups have been excluded from traditional narratives, or how their contributions have been minimized or ignored altogether. This includes examining the ways in which Western notions of beauty have been imposed on non-Western art forms, or how certain forms of aesthetic expression have been disregarded as “primitive” or “inferior” due to their origins in non-Western cultures.

We must also question the very language we use when discussing art history. Traditional terminology often reflects an inherently Eurocentric viewpoint, privileging certain terms over others, or excluding entirely those related to non-Western artistic practices. In order to create a more equitable approach to teaching and learning about art history, it is essential that we move away from this exclusive language towards one that more accurately reflects our diverse cultural heritage.

It is also important to examine how power dynamics are reflected in both traditional and contemporary artistic practices. We must ask ourselves: who has access to resources and representation?

Who is included or excluded from museums, galleries, exhibitions and other spaces where art is displayed? Who gets to tell their stories through art? These questions help us uncover discrepancies between those who are represented in traditional narratives versus those who are not given a voice at all.

Finally, we must take steps towards creating more inclusive spaces within the field of art history itself. This means providing access to resources for people from marginalized backgrounds; promoting diversity among faculty members; advocating for greater representation within institutions; and challenging existing power structures within the discipline itself.

In short, decolonizing art history requires us to reconsider both its content and its structure – both past and present – with an eye towards creating a more equitable future for all involved in the field. Through recognizing past injustices, challenging existing power dynamics, questioning language used within the discipline, striving for greater diversity among faculty members and students alike, we can move towards creating a truly inclusive environment where everyone’s voice matters equally.

Conclusion: How do you decolonize Art History? Through recognizing past injustices, challenging existing power dynamics, questioning language used within the discipline, striving for greater diversity among faculty members and students alike – these are all key steps that need to be taken in order for Art History to be truly decolonized.