theguardian.com
Māori Scholars Publish First Comprehensive History of Māori Art
Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous history of Māori art, a 600-page book by three Māori scholars, is the first comprehensive account of Māori art, spanning diverse mediums from ancient waka to contemporary digital art and challenging traditional Western art historical narratives.
- What is the significance of Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous history of Māori art, and how does it reshape the understanding of Māori art and art history globally?
- Toi Te Mana: An Indigenous history of Māori art, a 600-page book with 500 images, is the first comprehensive account of Māori art written entirely by Māori scholars. It challenges the notion of a single Māori art style, showcasing diverse mediums from ancient canoes to contemporary digital film. The book's unique structure reflects Māori concepts of time and knowledge.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of Toi Te Mana on Māori communities, art historical scholarship, and the broader understanding of Indigenous art and cultural heritage?
- Toi Te Mana serves as a resource for Māori to explore their art traditions and contributes to the growing body of Indigenous-led art histories globally. By emphasizing the cyclical nature of time and the interconnectedness of Māori art, the book offers a new framework for understanding Indigenous artistic expression. Its impact extends to challenging Western art historical narratives and promoting a more inclusive representation of art history.
- How does the book's structure and approach reflect Māori concepts of time, knowledge, and cultural values, and how does this differ from traditional Western art historical methods?
- The book upends traditional Western approaches to art history by adopting a Māori perspective. It highlights forgotten artists and mediums, such as Māori architecture, and celebrates the breadth of Māori art across time and locations. The authors spent years structuring the book to reflect Māori concepts of time, customs, land, and genealogy.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, celebrating the achievement of the book and the Māori scholars involved. The emphasis is on the book's comprehensiveness, the innovative approach to art history, and the reclamation of Māori narratives. While this positive framing is justified given the context, it might inadvertently downplay potential challenges or complexities within the Māori art world itself.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and celebratory, using positive descriptors such as "impressive," "comprehensive," and "innovative." While this positive tone is appropriate for highlighting an important achievement, some might argue that a more nuanced approach could add depth to the story. However, no overtly loaded or biased language is present.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the book and its creation, with limited discussion of potential criticisms or alternative viewpoints on Māori art history. While acknowledging the historical silencing of Māori voices, it doesn't delve into specific instances of appropriation or misrepresentation in detail. This omission, while understandable given the article's focus, might leave readers with an incomplete picture of the complexities surrounding the topic.
Sustainable Development Goals
The book, written by Māori scholars, offers a new, Indigenous-led approach to art history. This challenges traditional Western methods and provides valuable educational resources for Māori communities and art enthusiasts globally. It also highlights the achievements of Māori artists and scholars, promoting education and empowerment within the community.