In last week’s newsletter, I mentioned how a recent visit to the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology, where I was intrigued by First Nations art and artifacts, left me wrestling with the difference between inspiration and appropriation. I asked for your thoughts on the topic and got a wealth of fascinating responses. Have I mentioned how much I love hearing from you?
Here’s a sample of what you had to say:
Kenny Lim told me that he has designed graphics for several Canadian television shows concerning First Nations people and art. "However," Kenny says, "I am a first-generation Chinese Canadian. I am not and never will be a Haida Artist, but my design was certainly influenced by this culture." [Editor’s note: The Haida are one of the principal tribes on the Pacific Coast.] Kenny concludes, "We as designers should be more aware of all types of art, even the painter on the street corner has something to say. And if we can bring some of into our lives and design, I don’t see a problem with it. As long as you’re trying to design with integrity and not be a blatant ripoff, but to be truly influenced and moved by art where it can shape your design process, it can only be called inspiration."
A responder I know only as Chris said, "Your own skin color or cultural heritage has NOTHING to do with whether you’re permitted — morally or otherwise — to be inspired by and/or to use images or concepts gleaned from studying cultures not your own. Ideas don’t belong to particular races. Human achievements are accomplished by and belong to HUMANITY, to use and benefit from as it wishes."
My own opinion is close to that of another responder, Mike O’Brien. He wrote, "One problem for me when considering borrowing from another culture is that I don’t know the meaning behind an idea or object. Perhaps I could recognize a Haida drawing of a salmon, but how would I know the story of salmon in their culture? To borrow only the form itself seems ignorant and disrespectful. So ideally, I would try to graphically represent a salmon as the native people did — simple, clean, bold, and honest. Of course, once I have seen their version, I can’t get it out of my mind. So their influence will always play a part in whatever I design. I also try to recognize and let go of a need I have to own things. When I see something I admire I try to take it in completely, to really respond to it, but to let go of wanting to buy it or own it or use it."
If you want to continue the conversation, go to the Vox Box area in the left-hand margin to add your commments.
Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts. It’s been an enlightening week!
This article was last modified on December 17, 2022
This article was first published on October 10, 2005
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