Visions of Ancestral Spirits

This session invites scholars and practitioners to explore the theme of visualizing ancestors in contemporary art practices. In recent years, artists worldwide have been engaging with the concept of ancestral heritage in diverse and innovative ways, using various mediums such as painting, sculpture, installation, video, and performance. This call seeks to examine how artists conceptualize, represent, and engage with their ancestors through visual means, considering the cultural, historical, and personal dimensions of this exploration.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• The use of ancestral imagery and symbolism in contemporary art
• Intersections between traditional and contemporary artistic practices in visualizing ancestors
• The role of memory, history, and storytelling in shaping artistic representations of ancestors
• Explorations of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage through visual art
• The influence of migration, diaspora, and globalization on artists' engagement with ancestral themes
• The use of technology and new media in visualizing ancestral connections
• The ethical and political implications of representing ancestors in contemporary art
• Comparative studies of artists from different cultural and geographical backgrounds in their approaches to visualizing ancestors.

We welcome interdisciplinary perspectives and encourage submissions from scholars, artists, curators, and cultural practitioners. Papers may address individual artists or artworks, thematic trends, theoretical frameworks, or methodological approaches relevant to the visualization of ancestors in contemporary art. Submissions should engage with critical discourse and contribute to advancing understanding in this growing field of inquiry.