The Department of Anthropology maintains a long-standing interest in art and craft. We often work with the makers of art and crafts to understand their relationships with materials, other people, and the wider environment including animals and plants. This includes traditional settings and new uses of digital media and contemporary art, while the revival of craft skills is another current focus. For those interested in wood, the Department has access to a fully-equipped woodwork and carpentry workshop located on campus.
Projects
Inuit sealskin sewing, digital archives and the work of the Mittimatalik Arnait Miqsuqtuit Collective.
Nancy Wachowich
This project explores the use of new digital and communications media in promoting the cultural transmission of Inuit women’s traditional sealskin sewing skills.
Videos
Facebook
Artist in Residence: Alec Finlay
In 2016-17 artist and poet Alec Finlay was Leverhulme Artist in Residence in the Department of Anthropology. He worked with Jo Vergunst on place names and landscape in the Upper Deeside area of Aberdeenshire.
Teaching
Case studies and theories from the anthropology of art and craft are used in many parts of our teaching. A new level 4 option course in the Anthropology of Art is also in development.