32. Primitivism (Naïve & Folk Art)

What was it about? What were the goals?

This is a tricky question because Primitivism wasn’t so much a movement as an idea that applies to many different artists and movements: Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, and so on. And it’s not one idea but two. Primitivism refers to amateur "Naïve Art" made without formal academic training, but it also refers to a racist notion that art made from certain other cultures were "primitive" - nations in Africa, Asia, and the Near East. 

The central component was a rejection of western academic training and realism in favor of a more “honest”, “natural”, and child-like way of art making. This idea was spurred in the early 20th century through exhibitions of tribal art and artifacts from cultures the west labelled “primitive.” Many modern artists, including Picasso were inspired by this “Primitive” art.

This raises questions of what it means to be primitive, if these cultures were being presented fairly, and these questions all relate this notion of Primitivism with Orientalism, similarly accused of reinforcing negative stereotypes of exotic people and places, used to justify colonialism and oppression.

So, some artists like Picasso studied tribal art and used it in their works, and some simply refused to ever learn realism or linear perspective, instead forming a simple, child-like style––what’s now known as Naïve, Primitive, or Folk Art. Some Primitive art, like that of Gauguin, you can say really did exoticize foreigners. He moved to Tahiti and painted people there. But, a lot of Primitive art is just people living in their home towns and painting whatever’s around them.

A bit of historical context and philosophy to the idea:

How was it represented in the other arts – music, architecture, and literature?

Igor Stravinsky is credited for composing Primitive music with his Rite of Spring, a ballet telling the story of a human sacrifice in pre-Christian Russia.

Was it great?

Although I’m not a big fan, it really depends on how the artist applied it. Some artists are better than others.  Paul Klee is one example whose work is childlike but also completely original, energetic, and exciting. Having said that, one of the main points to Primitivism is originality, of painting like you, and not how some academics want you to paint. Ironically, if you look at a lot of Naïve or Folk art, it mostly looks like it was painted by the same person. It turns out, to find your unique style and imagery–– your voice as an artist––you really do have to train. Naïve artists copy just as much as anyone else.

Some leading figures:

Henri Rousseau (1844-1910)

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

Paul Klee (1879-1940)

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Marc Chagall (1887-1985)

Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986)

Grant Wood (1891-1942)

Wifredo Lam (1902-1982)

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

Fernando Botero (1932-)

Some of the most famous "Primitive" artworks: