Paleoart both reflects and shapes the sociocultural context it was created in. This essay analyses the way humans see themselves in relation to their ancestors. By mapping the shift in visual language in historical and contemporary paleoart, various themes come to light: the role of technology and medium, the balance between scientific accuracy and creative freedom, and the effects of artist bias. We can then discuss how views on race and gender have been affected as a result of paleoart, and the resulting ethical responsibilities when communicating scientific facts to the public. Our evolving understanding of social accountability and changes in technology set out key questions for the future of scientific illustration.
The essay is divided into three parts: the history, the ethics, and the future. The history briefly goes over the ways paleoart reflected and reinforced the sociocultural norms of the time. We will be using contemporary pieces as a foil to expose and further analyse the motifs in both. Following that, we discuss the significance of balancing scientific accuracy and creative freedom. The question of ethics is explored in the representation of race and gender in both historical and current paleoart. Artist quotes, scientific studies, and cultural context are employed. Finally, a summary of the responsibilities of social accountability, in the meeting between art and science, and how that will affect the paleoart genre going forward.
silicone and human hair, life-sized, Moesgard Museum, Denmark.
This is the abstract of my undergraduate dissertation. If you are interested in reading it in full, please fill the form below, or email me at lc.medlicott@gmail.com
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