The Evolution of Identity Through Art - Overview
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The Evolution of Identity Through Art - Overview
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The Evolution of Identity Through Art - Overview
- 1. The Evolution of Identity Through Art
- 2. Personal Identity Art has been a means for individuals to explore who they are, their ancestry, and how they relate to the world. Early humans, much like modern individuals, depicted themselves in their environment to affirm their place in society. Cave drawings, self-portraits, and contemporary selfies are all explorations of personal identity. For example, Vincent van Gogh's 30+ self-portraits provide insights into his emotional and mental state, reflecting his place in society and personal struggles.
- 3. Cultural and National Identity Art reflects shared values, history, and traditions of a group or nation. It serves to connect people to their heritage while documenting their evolution. For example, Frida Kahlo’s works, such as Self- portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940), integrate her Mexican heritage, personal pain, and political views, making her art a symbol of cultural and feminist identity.
- 4. Historical Identity Art preserves historical narratives and cultural legacies, such as the funerary steles of Palmyra. These monuments not only marked personal identities but also reflected the broader socio-cultural influences of the time. The Hypogeum of Yarhai. Damascus, Syria Damascus, National Museum, Hypogeum of Yarhai By Arian Zwegers - Damascus, National Museum, Hypogeum of Yarhai, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24487952
- 5. Fluidity of Identity Since the 1970s, postmodern theories have challenged static notions of identity, emphasizing its fluid and multifaceted nature. Art continues to evolve as a medium to challenge stereotypes, educate, and provide nuanced narratives of identity. For example, in Kehinde Wiley’s Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps (2005), he reimagines Jacques-Louis David’s portrait of Napoleon. (next slide) By combining historical European painting styles with contemporary figures, Wiley reclaims power and representation for marginalized identities, blurring the lines between traditional and modern, individual and collective identities.
- 6. Left: Jacques-Louis David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps or Bonaparte at the St Bernard Pass, 1801 version, oil on canvas, 275 x 232 cm (Österreichische Galerie Belvedere); right: Kehinde Wiley, Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps, 2005, oil on canvas, 274.3 x 274.3 cm (Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York) © Kehinde Wiley
- 7. Art as a Legacy Art sustains memories of individuals, communities, and nations, creating a tangible connection to the past while challenging static views of identity. Destruction of art, like ISIS’s obliteration of Palmyrene grave markers, is a tragic erasure of history and cultural identity. Art remains a dynamic tool for capturing and reshaping both personal and collective narratives. The entrance of the Great Temple of the Abu Simbel temples, founded around 1264 BC