Global Peripheries’ mission is comprised of five main goals:

1.       Recentering the Peripheries: We promote research on communities who were affected by Iberian colonialism, and which continue to be underrepresented in the study of art history. By examining the material and visual productions of these communities, our goal is to focus on them as centers of creation rather than passive reception, and to encourage greater interest in these histories today.

2.       Interrogating Identities through History: The dissolution to Iberian colonial power is a distinguishing feature of nineteenth-century history. From the beginning of the century to its close, borders and national identities went through major transformations. By looking at the renegotiation of political and cultural identities, the material and visual residues of coloniality, and how they impacted cultural production, we aim to highlight the impact of the transformation of these identities within histories of art to question what is Latin both within and beyond the modern geo-cultural concept of Latin America.

3.       Promoting Transnationalities: Inspired by recent scholarship on intercolonial relationships, including Koichi Hagimoto’s Between Empires: Martí, Rizal, and the Intercolonial Alliance (2013), we encourage the comparative study of colonial and postcolonial cultures through the entanglement of their political, commercial, and linguistic histories. We also encourage the exploration of transnational relationships beyond the intercolonial sphere, examining how regional fissures and the development of new identities during an era of increasing globalization accelerated diverse transnational connections beyond the political boundaries established by the Iberian empires.

4.       Encouraging Interdisciplinarity: We encourage the study of art history in an expanded context of material and visual histories. Examples of some of the areas of research we encourage discussion on include art, architecture, urban and interior spaces, memorials and spaces of memory, museums and collections, theater, dance, ritual, and mass visual media.

5.       Connecting People and Ideas: This network seeks to provide a space where educators, researchers, and museum workers can engage in a profound exploration of nineteenth-century material and visual cultures within their socio-political contexts. By facilitating discussions, sharing resources, and offering insights, it aims to deepen our understanding of the art and visual narratives that emerged during this pivotal era. This includes a focus on the diverse array of artistic expressions, from indigenous art and the colonial legacy to the emergence of national identities, all of which reflect the complex socio-political contexts of the time.

Why Join Our Network?

The study of material and visual cultures is a valuable tool for unpacking the complexities of history and society. By focusing on the material and the visual, this platform brings marginalized voices and stories to the forefront, challenging dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive understanding of our shared past.

Global Peripheries is committed to:

• Interdisciplinary Engagement: It encourages a wide range of perspectives, from art history to anthropology, from postcolonial studies to critical race theory, to ensure that the dialogue surrounding nineteenth-century visual cultures remains rich, multifaceted, and nuanced.

• Open Access and Knowledge Sharing: It is dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all, providing a platform for researchers to share their findings, access resources, and connect with like-minded scholars.

In this spirit, you are invited to explore the available resources, engage in discussions, and contribute to the ongoing discourse about postcolonial cultures. Together, we can illuminate the past, challenge the present, and shape a more inclusive future.