African Journal of Practical Theology and Missiology | 02 January 2006
Decolonizing African Art History in Liberia: Mixed Methods Inquiry and Methodological Innovations
K, a, i, a, t, a, V, a, i, l, a, k, u, s, i, ,, G, l, a, d, y, s, K, p, o, r, m, a, h, e, s, i
Abstract
Liberia's art history has been largely Eurocentric, with little representation of indigenous perspectives. This study aims to decolonize African art history by exploring and integrating local narratives. The study employs a mixed methods approach combining semi-structured interviews with focus groups and online surveys. Data collection will be through snowball sampling and purposive selection. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Liberia National Commission on Human Rights and Developmental Studies. Findings suggest that 60% of Liberian artists and scholars have encountered Eurocentric biases in their work, particularly regarding sources of inspiration and historical contexts. There is a strong desire for more inclusive narratives in art education. This study highlights the need for methodological shifts to better represent diverse African art histories. Methodological innovations such as integrating oral traditions and local knowledge into academic discourse are proposed. Recommendations include training programmes for artists and scholars on decolonizing methodologies, incorporating indigenous narratives in curricula, and establishing a national archive of Liberian art history.