Indigenous Art and Artists

The common formats of materials available in the academic libraries are:

• Books
• Media
• Magazine and Journals

Each format can be delivered in print or online. In addition, each format has its own publication process and timelines, reflecting different purposes and topic coverage . Books and media are usually a collection of chapters or episodes which brings together a different perspectives on a topic. For example, this title about Charles Edenshaw provides information about his works as well as the social and historical context of his practice. In contrast, magazine and journal articles does not require as much time in the publication process and more readily presents exhibition reviews and emerging artists such as this article about a recent exhibition in Toronto: Steen, Emma. 2020. “Bureau of Aesthetics: Native Art Department International (Maria Hupfield and Jason Lujan).” C Magazine, no. 147 (October): 63–64.

On the Web

Libraries will also include open sources materials available on the Web in the Library Catalogues. The selection of the these sources are evaluated on the needs of the community, and the authority and accuracy of the information.

You will find most often in books and media titles that cover well established individual artists, art by specific communities, and topic. What is published in book form (both in print and online) often reflects historical and contemporary ethographic studies, collectors and collecting, research interests of the academic community, and museum/gallery exhibitions. For example: 

• Eagle Transforming: the Art of Robert Davidson / Ulli Steltzer and Robert Davidson
• Raven Travelling: Two Centuries of Haida Art / Daina Augaitus
• Mapping Modernisms: Art, Indigeneity, Colonialism / Elizabeth Harney and Ruth B. Philips
• The Storage Box of Tradition: Kwakiutl Art, Anthrpologists, and Museums, 1881 - 1981 / Ira Jacknis

Search for books in our Library Catalogue.

For books about individual Indigenous commnities, you may need to use a variety of labels and names both historical and contemporary. While art is a general term for books on a wide range of mediums, you may also try to search for specific practice, e.g., carving, beading. For example: 

• Cree and art
• Nehiyawak and art
• Coast Salish and art
• Haida and carvings

Articles about Indigenous art appears in journals from a wide range of disciplines. You will find different perspectives depending on the target audience and the topic:

• Art and Architecture
  Articles tend to be about individual artists, specific material culture, exhibition reviews and contemporary Indigenous issues
  Examples: 
  • Holmberg, Sheryl Morong. 2015. “Reviving Ancient Cultures.” Sculpture Review 64 (4): 8–13. 
    Focuses on Bill Reid and Robert Davidson's works
  • Huhndorf, Shari M. 2021. “Scenes from the Fringe: Gendered Violence and the Geographies of Indigenous Feminism.” Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society 46 (3): 561–87.
     
• Ethnographic Studies such as aboriginal studies, anthropology, sociology, etc
  Example: Crowther, Gillian. "Tradition, Identity, and Creativity: Contemporary Haida Ceremonialism." Cambridge Anthropology 17, no. 2 (1994): 84-102.
   
• Museum and Archival Studies
  Example: Unruh, Leanne. 2015. “Dialogical Curating: Towards Aboriginal Self-Representation in Museums.” Curator 58 (1): 77–89.

Recommended Journals for Browsing

Recommended Databases

Indigenous Information Versus Indigenous Knowledge

Recognize that not all information on the Web about Indigenous art and culture are equal in value and authority. While Indigenous information provides information about Indigenous community, practices and culture, Indigenous knowledge can only shared with permission by their respective community interwined with customs and protocols. 

Beware of who created the information on the website and for what purpose. Use the information with care and respect.

Some Websites of Interest