Bonchristiano, Patricia Zulian Amaral (2024) Forest matter: art and activism in the Brazilian Amazon. PhD thesis, Birkbeck, University of London.
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Abstract
In this thesis, I explore activist art centred on the Brazilian Amazon forest by examining the works of artists directly involved with the region’s social and political issues and whose works have not only been exhibited in galleries or museums but also function as conduits for political discourse across diverse platforms (including books, protests and online posts). My analysis examines a form of activist art that is reciprocal and deeply engaged with the challenges the Amazon is facing, addressing issues such as violence, economic inequality, migration and Indigenous rights. My choice of artists for this study is based on the activist nature of their work, their connection to forest struggles and their relevance to the surrounding communities. I examine artworks from various parts of the Amazon region to capture its cultural diversity and to discuss various activist strategies. The selection of artists features Hélio Melo and Claudia Andujar, who began their artistic engagement with the forest in the 1970s. It also includes more contemporary figures such as Paula Sampaio, Nay Jinknss, Guy Veloso and Denilson Baniwa, showcasing how the artistic scene in the Amazon has evolved over the years. My analysis is conducted by focusing on the entanglements between artists and the living and non-living inhabitants of the forest. I explore the ways in which certain forest materials – light, soil, trees and water – are related to everyday life in the forest and to the region’s artistic production. I discuss how different types of materials become a medium for creative expression and a conduit for environmental and social awareness and change. I engage with an array of theories that highlight the interconnected nature of ecosystems, emphasising the relational nature of their co-inhabitants and the existence of a more ethical way of living. The discussion also draws on local knowledge, seeking to amplify voices that have been excluded from mainstream art history discourse.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Copyright Holders: | The copyright of this thesis rests with the author, who asserts his/her right to be known as such according to the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. No dealing with the thesis contrary to the copyright or moral rights of the author is permitted. |
| Depositing User: | Acquisitions And Metadata |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Nov 2024 15:06 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Nov 2024 15:44 |
| URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/54545 |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.18743/PUB.00054545 |
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