Explore how ancient rock art traditions are influencing contemporary Indigenous artists in Central Asia and Canada, helping them reclaim cultural identities. This research, published in Antiquity, delves into the deliberate use of rock art motifs by Indigenous artists, highlighting the resilience and cultural continuity of historically oppressed peoples.
Cultural Revival Through Art
A common narrative that surrounds ancient rock art (seen in Canada and Central Asia) is that it helps Indigenous artists tap into their ancestral roots often erased by colonization. For contemporary artists, using rock art motifs in their work is a way to reclaim some of that missing heritage while also portraying the resilience of their communities. The intense nature of turning ancient symbols into modern artwork mirrors a profound cultural pride and Indigenous tradition-saving resolution.
Art as a Tool for Healing
Rock art also asks to be applied to contemporary art, and this is true not just in Siberia but in Canada too, which suggests rock functions as a healing praxis for me. Through ancient rock art, Indigenous artists seek to combat colonial injustices and offer up decolonizing symbols. Through their art, both these artists share the process of interweaving past and present, attempting to initiate dialogues about cultural resilience, identity, and the lasting power of Indigenous communities.
Celebrating Cultural Continuity
Though ancient rock art traditions came from remote Central Asia and present-day Canada, the universality of the Indigenous experience is showcased with the convergence of rocks. Thousands of miles apart, artists unite in their lived experiences by rock art motifs celebrating hardship and success, and a journey to regain culture. Such a work both benefits from the research of Angourie and demonstrates how rock art is relevant as inspiration and identity for Indigenous artists looking to the future post-colonial.
