The white man’s burden. From colonialism to postcolonialism – discourse on non-european art and its position in the artworld from the perspective of the 2020s

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is presentation of a historical perspective to assess impact of 19th-century European colonization on culture and art. The article discusses changes that have taken place over years in approach to non-European population as well as its art and culture. From sense of the civilization mission of white people (which is reflected in poem The White Man’s Burden) in 19th century, through interest in tribal art of European Avant-garde artists in early 20th century, to period of beginning of discourse on negative face of colonialism (e.g. Discours sur le colonialism by Aime Cesaire or visual actions by Ben Enwonwu, Ernest Mancoba). Particular attention has been paid to modern times and settling accounts with colonialism. This trend has been more and more visible since end of 1980s (e.g. controversial Magiciens de la Terre (Paris) exhibition from 1989 or Documenta exhibitions curated by non-Europeans (e.g. Okwui Enwezor). The period of 21st century is dominated by postcolonial trend in art (recognized artists of this profile include Fred Wilson (b. 1954), Sonia Boyce (b. 1962), Kara Walker (b. 1969), Hew Locke (b. 1959), Yinka Shonibare (b. 1962) and Kader Attia (b. 1970))