Indigenous Art
Indigenous art is the art produced by people that are native to the land where they live. Like the North American Indians of the United States and Canada, the Aboriginal of Australia, the Khoisan of South Africa. The work indigenous people created through out history was mainly utilitarian or decorating utilitarian objects. Although there are images painted on rocks and etched into rocks. Now these have no obvious purpose to the modern observer like ability to store goods or carry water. But these must have been a means of communication, perhaps simply I was here, directions to a certain place, markings on migratory and trade trails. In many cases the exact meaning of these markings are unknown and may never be revealed. The utilitarian objects were made out of necessity historically. Then as the introduction of outsiders to indigenous cultures the making of utilitarian objects changed to objects of interest to the outsiders for trade for goods of interest to the indigenous people. Trade grew as means of different transportation developed and populations grew creating greater demands. In the Victorian era another shift occurred with the creation of many middle class people, the idle rich, who could spend time traveling simply for the curiosity of it. As this grew indigenous peoples began to recognize the market for souvenir goods. This is where new designs, styles and color uses have come in challenging old traditions as the crofters find new markets for ever increasing demand. Today indigenous art can be found all over the globe from Zuni fetishes in 5 star hotels Sydney gift shops to Australian Aboriginal clothing designs in New York boutiques. These abilities to make and market the goods help keep and economic life for the indigenous artisans and keeps the traditions of crafting alive. The down side can be said that the work has been compromised for commercial exploitation. Not sure if that is true but the work would have evolved anyway, certainly these economic factors have been of great influence no doubt. South Western native Americans create a lot of jewelry that is sought after the world over. Pieces are made on the reservations and sent all over the world to. Baskets, woven blankets and pottery are also very popular economic trade items. The design of these goods has changed as well. Sizes and shapes of pottery that was never produced are now made for the tourist. Work can be found on the reservations and bought from the artists to shops near there to retail outlets on the other side of the world.
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