COLLECTION NAME:
Undergraduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Hidden Messages: The Indigenous Art of Puerto Rico
Creator:
Markland, Claire
Subject:
Thesis (B.F.A.) -- Art History
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Art History
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
“Indigenous Puerto Rican artworks, particularly Cemí figures, functioned as potent symbols of authority and spirituality, central to the cultural fabric of Autonomous Caribbean society. Cemíism, a foundational aspect of Indigenous spirituality, established connections between the living and their ancestors, thereby facilitating political and social hierarchies. This study argues that the diverse visual characteristics of Indigenous Puerto Rican Cemí figures allow for their classification into distinct categories, each reflecting unique artistic traditions and cultural significance within Autonomous Caribbean society. These categories include Guaíza figures as well as Trigonolito figures, which are further subcategorized into Amorphous and Angular Trigonolito subtypes. By closely analyzing these figures, the research reveals how their varying forms and styles indicate different spiritual and political functions, offering insight into the complexity of Indigenous Puerto Rican culture. This analysis emphasizes the need to recognize the distinct artistic traditions represented by these figures. Through a detailed examination of their visual characteristics, the study underscores the cultural importance of these artifacts, arguing that they are not merely objects of art but key elements that provide a deeper understanding of the social structures, spiritual beliefs, and cultural identity of the Indigenous Puerto Rican people.” --Abstract
Keywords: autonomous, Caribbean, Cemí, cultural exchange, Guaíza, iconography, Indigenous, Puerto Rico, Taíno, Trigonolito, Zemí.
Keywords: autonomous, Caribbean, Cemí, cultural exchange, Guaíza, iconography, Indigenous, Puerto Rico, Taíno, Trigonolito, Zemí.
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2024-07
Format:
1 online resource: 1 PDF (Thesis, 44 pages, color illustrations)