Paper Short Abstract:

In this paper I will consider the significance of ‘drawing’ for Indigenous communities of the Upper Rio Negro in Northwest Amazonia. This region has extensive historical, cultural and social exchange networks and an inclusive worldview, cosmovision, which represents a systemic understanding of the universe. In Indigenous cosmovision, drawing can be both a literal and metaphysical proposition, which includes patterns on objects, rocks, the body, as well as visions obtained through dreams, ancestors or ceremonial practices. I propose to critically review my findings from a recent drawing workshop with Indigenous artists on the Rio Tiquié and pose some of the questions that arose on the transmission of knowledge, the technology of paper, and ethical engagement through drawing practice.

Paper Abstract:

My practice based doctoral study focuses on historical ethnobotanical collections housed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and I am studying the plants used in the fabrication of these objects. As an artist, my approach is through drawing as well as collaborative art practice with artists and knowledge holders from Indigenous communities in the Upper Rio Negro region of Northwest Amazonia, from where these collections originate.

Indigenous communities in this region have extensive historical, cultural and social exchange networks, in which plants and objects hold important roles (Fernando Santos-Granero 2013). Regarding the theme of the Anthropocene and its ensuing call for new imaginaries, Indigenous peoples' histories of adaptation have an important role in teaching humanity how to adapt to disruptive ecological changes.

My research is concerned with the interconnection between people, plants and things, and looks at the role of drawing in narrating this knowledge. In Indigenous cosmovision, drawing can be both a literal and metaphysical proposition, which includes patterns on objects, rocks, the body, as well as visions obtained through dreams, ancestors or ceremonial practices.

In this presentation I will show drawings; both my own (reflexive interpretations of the material I observe) and those made by Indigenous artists during recent workshop on the Rio Tiquié. I will critically review the discussions held during that workshop, which centred on drawing as a way of supporting the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, the ‘technology’ of paper, and examples of equitable engagement with international collections holding Indigenous material belongings.