Primitivism, as a movement, is undoubtedly closely related to the study and influence of Primitive Art in the 19th century in various parts of Europe. Primitive Art refers to the artifacts and crafts of the indigenous people of various parts of the world such as the African, Indian, and Australian tribes. When these artifacts landed in the museums in Europe with the European colonization and domination of the third-world countries, artists were inspired by their unique appeal much later in the 19th and 20th centuries. Collectively, the artifacts and artworks created with the influence of Primitive Art were classified under the Primitivism movement.
Although a lot of time has passed since Primitivism came into existence, there are still numerous misconceptions surrounding its nature and representation. This article debunks 4 of these common myths:
Prehistoric Art is Also Primitivism
Wrong: All artifacts, whether paintings or sculptures, that were created before 10,000 BCE are considered to be a part of ‘Prehistoric art’. It is, however, distinct from the primitivism movement that became popularized in Europe much later on.
Paintings and sculptures inspired by Prehistoric art, on the other hand, can be considered a part of the movement.
Primitivism is Isolated from the Rest of the Contemporary Art Movements
Wrong: Any movement in art has its roots in the historical and cultural elements of the contemporary time. Primitivism, also, is a product of the complex historical and societal influences on the artists along with the changes in their temperaments and mentalities. Moreover, each artist has a different style and pattern of creating art and sculpture that featured the attributed of Primitivism.
It even affected the development of the art movements that emerged later on, such as surrealism.
Primitivism is Unorthodox and Unfamiliar
Wrong: Unlike the ‘academic’ art, that was created by the artists taught in major art schools throughout Europe, Primitive art was much more orthodox and accepted in contemporary society. It was because various societies, en masse, had a majority of individuals who were disillusioned with the values of their culture. In such a time, primitive art was believed to be more honest, ‘real’, and emotionally stimulating compared to the art produced by the ‘academic’ artists.
Primitivism is Amateur or ‘Bad’
Wrong: Although the word ‘primitive’ denotes a raw, crude, and even incomplete form of art, Primitive art is far from that. It merely refers to works by artists that used primitive themes, symbols, and patterns in their works.