5.2 Materials, Processes, and Techniques in Indigenous American Art

Indigenous American art encompasses a wide range of materials, processes, and techniques, reflecting the diverse traditions and cultural practices of Indigenous communities across the Americas. The materials used in Indigenous American art were specific to each region and were significant to the culture. According to the AP Art History CED, there was a hierarchy of materials used. This was based on their availability and the amount of work it took to manipulate and use the materials. 

• "Featherwork, textiles, and greenstone were at the top of the materials hierarchy; metalwork, bone, obsidian, and stone toward the middle; and ceramics and wood at the lower end of the hierarchy" (pg. 169). The processes and techniques used in Indigenous art was often tied to cultural beliefs and practices. The indigenous population prioritized unity with the natural world and focused on the utility of an item, as opposed to its appearance. (This contrasts previous units where we see art with a focus on aesthetics and idealism 🧠).  

Regions

Each region maintained their own specific cultural practices. Most of this information also comes from the AP Art History CED.

Mesoamerica 

The various materials, techniques and processes in Mesoamerican art include: 

• Pyramids: "Mesoamerican pyramids began as early earthworks [and were] changed to nine-level structures with single temples. [They]...later became structures with twin temples" (pg. 169).
• Architecture: "Architecture was mainly stone post-and-lintel, often [decorated] with relief sculpture[s] and painted bright colors...Plazas were [typically used for] large ritual gatherings...[and] elaborate burials...[were used to]...honor the role of the underworld..." (pg. 169). - Plazas were often placed in front of the pyramids.- Post-and-lintel is a construction technique used in architecture. It involves the placement of vertical posts (columns) to support a horizontal beam.
• Works were generally functional, with relief sculptures and architectural elements serving ritualistic purposes and depicting important mythological events.

Central Andes

The various materials, techniques, and processes in the central Andes include: 

• Textiles: Textile production was an important craft in the central Andes. Being able to weave was a specialized skill. We can see this in the All-T'oqapu Tunic, which was made acllas who are women that were chosen to weave fabric. Native Andean people also used intricate designs and patterns to decorate their textiles.
• Stone Carvings/Rock Art: The central Andes region is also known for carving sculptures, architectural elements, and ritual objects into rocks and cliffs.

Native North America

The various materials, techniques, and processes used in Native North America include: 

• Various Mediums: "Native American art media include earthworks, stone and adobe architecture, wood and bone carving, weaving and basketry, hide painting, ceramics, quillworkand beadwork, and, recently, painting on canvas and other European-style media" (pg. 196).
• Motifs: "Geometric patterning, figures (often mythic or shamanic), and animals (e.g., snakes, birds, bison, and horses) are often seen [across artwork]" (pg. 169)