Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (BOLLI)

Exploring Indigenous Art in North America - The Past and the Present

Course Number

ART8-10-Mon2

Study Group Leader (SGL)

Margaret Mukherjee

Location

This course will take place virtually on Zoom. Participation requires a device (ideally a computer or tablet, rather than a cell phone) with a camera and microphone in good working order and basic familiarity with using Zoom and accessing email.

10-Week Course

March 10 - May 19
(No Class April 14)

Description

Is Indigenous Art an emerging new art movement? Who are the contemporary Indigenous artists and what are they expressing through their work?  As a foundation for our study of Indigenous Art we begin by first viewing the work of Anglo artists in the 19th and early 20th centuries depicting Native Americans over a period of almost 200 years. We will view this work in both fine arts and photography and discover that valuable collections of photographs of Indigenous people from this period can even be found in some museums today. Our historical study continues while noting the work of Indigenous artists during the late 19th century and early 20th century in Ledger art, painting, and photography. 

Based on our study of the history of Indigenous art, our course will turn to contemporary Indigenous artists. Over several class sessions we will view their artistry based on the focus or theme of their work:  Survivance, Nation, and Indigenous Visualities. Each focus suggests a distinct and interesting way of viewing the world on the part of the creator. We will be studying the work of several well-known Indigenous artists whose work is now being exhibited internationally as well as that of those who are emerging. Throughout our study we will note the public recognition of these artists, all of which suggests we are studying a very new art movement.

Group Leadership Style

More lecture than facilitated  discussion

Course Materials

All materials will be provided on a course website and by email links

Preparation Time

About an hour and a half  each week.

Biography

Margaret Mukherjee has enjoyed a long and varied career in higher education which has included working with other faculty at universities in eastern Europe and Asia. She holds a PhD in urban planning and policy development and a MA degree in textiles, clothing and related arts. Her undergraduate degree is from Cornell University. She has led several other BOLLI courses on American art movements, the most recent ones being Graffiti and Street Art, and N.C. Wyeth, Illustrator and Painter.