Art about Migration

Migration is central to human experience, and art history reflects that. Skipping through time and geography, we explore Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series, Lapita pottery, the Akbarnama, and the Mexica codex "Tira de la Peregrinación," and also discuss contemporary art about migration.
This episode was made in partnership with Smarthistory, the most-visited art history website in the world (smarthistory.org). Subscribe to their channel today: / @smarthistory-art-history .
Thanks to our Grandmaster of the Arts Vincent Apa, and all of our patrons, especially Yakira Dixon, Patrick Hanna, Nichole Hicks, Iain, Eve Leonard, David Moore, Jane Quale, and Constance Urist.
To support our channel, visit: / artassignment .

[@AverySuzuki]

This is really making me crave a crash course art history hosted by Sarah. Or also Art theory could be incredible

[@vaibhav6826]

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[@teszter704]

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[@mattkkr]

Yes, please!!

[@theartassignment]

It's not NOT under consideration. This series is a bit of a test case to see if/how it could work.

[@lorenabpv]

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[@claraaramburo758]

For me, as a viewer who is a Mexican art student, all the high quality video content that I can find on the internet, and mainly in the educational system, is mainly about european, american art. Its really cool to see content not only about the "great" who are talked about over and over again and idolatrous, but also to talk about different aspects of art history from different points of view, parts of the world and parts of the history. I am not sure if I really explained myself, but I really appreciate this type of content :) thank you!

[@MCAndyT]

Agreed. I feel like I got turned onto something new that I can now share with my art students in Michigan.

[@claraaramburo758]

@@MCAndyT And its not even something new! But something that it hasn't been talked about because its not part of a colonial, white, patriarcal, history.

[@marteawqakuq7455]

I am peruvian-brazilian taking an art degree rn and feeling the same way. It's refreshing, really

[@richardbond258]

@@marteawqakuq7455 It takes work but it is possible to find KZbin videos about non-European and U.S. Art. I have been an artist for 20 years and a huge fan of non western centric art. I have even wrote blogs talking about the art and artists that I admire.

[@HectorMartinez-xv4re]

I agree and am in a similar position. Unfortunately art and art history, like many other things, is influenced by colonialism and white supremacy.

[@jacobtilmon9833]

This is one of the best-produced channels on youtube. Your content is exceptional.

[@fraga2328]

From a Mexican, Its very nice earing about the Mexica's pilgrimage anywhere besides our own history classes! Specially in an art history context like this!

[@ansisaro]

Same in here, i got excited and very happy :)

[@MCAndyT]

And those codexes(i guess codices) have such awesome use of line and spacial organization! Like, I feel like the aesthetic seems really contemporary and fresh, like they're the original graphic novel. Really glad to see them!

[@berni1602]

Jajaja, estaba a punto de responderte en inglés. Yo tampoco lo esperaba y sobre todo desde una perspectiva artística, bastante interesante cómo lo presentan. He escuchado de algunos españoles que a ellos les cuentan la historia de una forma completamente diferente, de que en realidad Cortés llegó a traer civilización a los indios, ¿puedes creerlo! Me encantó que aquí lo presentaran desde un punto de vista más nativo.

[@fraga2328]

Bernardo Fajardo Bernardo Fajardo Exacto!! Yo tampoco me lo esperaba para nada, y es muy bueno más personas del mundo sepan como es verdaderamente el arte nativa y como era verdaderamente la civilización pre-conquista. Me gustaría que este tipo de canales de arte hablaran más sobre el arte nativoamericana!!

[@berni1602]

Sí, coincido en que se debería mostrar un poco más. Que bueno, creo que igual nos corresponde a nosotros exigir buenos canales de divulgación mexicanos o bien apoyar a los que lo hacen. A ver si luego ahondan más en el arte prehispánico.

[@sierra3644]

wow smarthistory and the art assignment worlds collide both of yall saved my AP art history grade lol

[@richardbond258]

I really enjoy Smarthistory.

[@idledelilah1740]

Wonderfully made!! Love these well produced/written art history videos, very excited for the rest of the series

[@alejandrovargasstein9606]

I love this because most of the art history videos are sooo Eurocentric and this video includes the pre colonial migration in the American continent which I think it’s soo important today and you’ve made it your job to connect migration to Europe and Asia because of the importance of that today

[@thingamabitch]

Has anyone read "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan? It's a graphic novel about immigration/being a refugee and it's stuck with me for years. There is not dialogue and it's beautifully illustrated.

[@moravialaurich5423]

No...but now I'm looking into it. Thank you

[@rabahelaawar2499]

Jacob Lawrence had provided a remarkable documentation and account on racism and migration in the U.S. They are accounts that represent the human experience anywhere. He is not just a Harlem Renaissance artist, he is a world artist. His art represents me, and it represents all of us.

[@xNujeL]

I can't express how much I love this channel. Like, this content is SO good I am shooketh. Thank you Sarah and everyone else involved!

[@theartassignment]

Shooketh, even? Wow, thanks!

[@lailedcat]

I’m excited for this. Like many places, migration is baked into Ireland’s history and also the art it’s produced. Its poetry, its music, everything. For such a small nation, our diaspora is comparatively massive. The majority of my Irish friends have by now left for other places, so a lot of art and literature that addresses emigration in particular. That’s a long comment - but suffice it to say I’m looking forward to hearing about how other folks around the world have looked at/come to terms with migration. Already learning a lot!

[@theartassignment]

"Diaspora" would be such a great topic for this series, too! Actually, the next videos in the series will be on different topics, like "Gender" and "Resistance." But I love that we're widening the discussion of migration here in the comments. Thanks for contributing!

[@lailedcat]

The Art Assignment I’m equally excited to hear about Gender and Resistance too!! There’s such a richness in all of these themes that I can’t wait to dive into! And thanks for replying! This one video was really educational on its own (and admittedly I wrote my first comment before fully finishing the video, so it still stands!)

[@jameslongstaff2762]

I'm Tongan and it is cool to hear about a remnant of my heritage depicted in this way. I wonder if the Lapita art styles are a written language that is now lost.

[@rsbharadwaj]

This channel is opening my eyes to a subject I never understood before nor knew how to appreciate

[@corajohnston22]

I’ve always had such a love for Jacob Lawrence, especially his migration series. This was an amazing video and I look forward to the next in this series.

[@fran6b]

Next september, I'm hitting university in art history, and each time I watch a _The Art Assignment_ episode, I feel reinforced in my choice! That's cool

[@anna_can]

i feel the same! not going into art history this september but the one after that and i can't wait for it

[@anaver1965]

Thank you for this not-eurocentric approach! As a second-generation migrant from Iran living in Europe, I loved learning about Persian art!

[@mustardsfire22]

A really cool video with some amazing info and context. I can't wait for the rest of this miniseries. :) Also way to rock the French tuck, Sarah.

[@oliviaw.2842]

I remember seeing the Migration Series in person a few years ago. It's such an eye-awakening story that's both beautiful and painful to explore. If you're ever in Washington DC, visit the Phillips Collection to see it for yourself. Can't wait for the rest of this series!

[@theartassignment]

Yes, definitely worth a visit! You can see them in an all-too-brief flash from our Art Trip several years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4ipZoCgmtaajq8

[@awesomeness860]

hihi moriah! i also (think) saw some of lawrence's work at the whitney at the end of last year. so if anyone lives in/vists nyc, i would highly recommend!!!

[@fudifickenscher4751]

I'm taking AP art history right now and this video is so rewarding! I love the range over history and over the globe.Thank you!!!

[@sorryistari]

These videos are so good

[@PogieJoe]

I love this channel so much! I enjoyed the original assignments that started it, but I think these essays and history lessons are way more interesting to me personally.

[@zentouro]

thanks for introducing me to so many new things! i had a chance to see Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series IRL a couple of years ago - but basically everything else in this was completely new to me.

[@charlotteoconnor7675]

we just learned about #49 for my art history class today! this was a great help to see the big picture

[@macismariah6612]

I love this channel 💛 Thanks for taking the time to create such an amazing content!!

[@sanchitagolder]

i was marvelling the quality of this channel's content in other videos when i became wistful, "knowing" that the depth and dissection of art appreciation would be reserved for european art. I accepted it as a general temperament of the internet and continued absorbing content, telling myself I'll just do my own research in marveling the art of my country- India. the mention of akbarnama made my heart drop. I hope everybody sees this channel and all its artists' genuine thirst for ALL art. please make more, in depth videos on art of other countries. ❤️

[@JulianGuevaraphoto]

It was nice to see that the Mexica segment was accurately represented. It was a quick but in-depth over view of the story. I appreciate you all doing great work!

[@N3rdfightermom]

This is amazing! I have always felt very close to The Fiddler on the Roof because my great-grandparents were a part of the pogroms that are depicted.

[@JoshuaChowabc]

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your love of art!

[@Clockworkcityofpain]

I can't get enough of these greatly produced, deeply researched videos. And I'm over the moon with all these rich non-european artworks being shown for many people to see. As for the question posed at the end of video, I don't think I have a favorite art about migration because all the pieces I've seen so far have been so unique that it seems to me that choosing a favorite would be cruel. I'm partial to Zarina's At Home that focuses on her feelings of what home is and her own experiences of being a migrant

[@Paulinemoke]

Yay, Art Assignment Video! Beautifully made, thank you so much. Very excited.

[@iagonizante]

Absolutely loved this episode!!! Cant wait for more in this style!!

[@yitang9486]

The Art Assignment has heavily influenced me to study Art History and this video, definitely has made me look at the human experience through a different lens. I would love to make great work like this 🙌

[@washulis]

Last summer I worked in an art biennial in Latvia (RIBOCA1) and in one of the venues there was a video by artists Minna Rainio and Mark Roberts called "They Came in Crowded Boats and Trains". It was a moving piece with a layered story: the narration of the approximately 12 min long video was from a diary of a Finnish refugee who fled to Sweden during World War II, year 1944. The video itself depicts artistic rendition of refugees from Iraq arriving in Finland themselves in the present day (2017). When I guided people through this venue, I usually finished the tour with this video not only because the geography of the venue but also because I think it left a significant impact. During that summer there still was a lot of news about refugees coming in Europe and Europe's response to it. It can truly be ironic how not that long ago Europeans themselves were forced to leave their homes and hope that people in other countries would allow them entry. Same thing happened in Latvia and even now there are large diaspora communities of Latvians all around the world. It wouldn't be possible if not for empathy for those who suffer through war or other disasters. And art is an amazing tool of creating empathy.

[@khushbookohli8220]

It's commendable, the amount of research that goes into these videos. I hadn't painted in so long and I picked it up again since I've been following this channel. Thanks, guys! PS Video suggestion: Can you do a video relating to 'Art that is hated'? I'm not saying that they deserve hate but it would be interesting to have someone talk about why people hate certain artworks or artforms (e.g. Tiktok art).

[@imanenthuse4009]

I have JUST been researching this 😲 thank you!!!

[@notlikewater]

Loved this video so much, and I love the incredible diversity of stories and media you shared. My first thought was also Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series. Thank you to the entire Art Assignment team for all of your incredible work, and I can't wait to see what you tackle next! - Jenna

[@arinamahmoudian5989]

Hi : ) I'm a big fan of this channel and have watched like every video. Would love a video on Iranian art and artists like Shirin Neshat.

[@nathnieloleary502]

I love these works and this series already Thank you Art assignment

[@ekeneam3644]

This video was beautiful, and it inspired me to think more about the migration currently occuring in my country (Nigeria) of Muslims from the rural north to the metropolitan south

[@jerichomoral]

Finally! A collaboration between 2 of my favorite art channels!

[@MrRynRules]

The art assignment is my window in the world of arts. Thank you.

[@monifakincaid6096]

These videos are so important. Please keep making them; I am learning so much. 💜💜💜

[@emilyli3304]

just brought this video to a class im taking! my professor provided lawrence's work as an anecdote to a piece discussing the migration focusing on Chicago in particular. hopefully this will help people with the assignment and discussion!

[@santimartos4727]

I screamed when my heart hear "this is the first of FIVE videos"

[@akumthonglongkumer9365]

Same..😂

[@notlikewater]

SAME

[@b3tres]

Thanks for discussing this very current yet historical art topic!

[@AverySuzuki]

So happy y'all are working with smart history! always thought the two channels compliment each other perfectly

[@theartassignment]

We like them a lot, and are thrilled to be working together 😊

[@Scribe13013]

We're all migrants these days...with one foot in a familiar past...And the other in a nebulously dazzling future. With the dust of history still stinging our eyes...our electric caravans blazing and phasing across the skies

[@elyely8949]

So it’s the Art-ropocene reviewed?

[@user-sw2jz5nw7q]

This brought to my mind the story of the Jewish exile. It's different in that the migration was forced, in the 1st century the Romans exiled the remnants of the Jewish people after a failed revolution in the area. It's also different because the Jewish people usually refrain from visual arts. In fact, the only ancient artwork depicting this exile is on the Roman Titus's arch where you can see the victory of Rome over the Israelites. The menorah, one of Judaism's most important symbols is depicted on the arch as well, part of the spoils from the temple that was ruined. The exile had a huge effect on Jewish arts, these centered mostly around the written word, and shaped the Jewish people's craving for the return home - one of the most prominent aspects of the Jewish tradition. One famous poem from the middle ages states "my heart is in the east (Jerusalem) but my body remains in the far west (exile)"

[@phlash649]

Hey I just found this channel and I love it and you're awesome

[@lorenabpv]

I love the wider shots of this videos with more of the cool background showing. It makes me want a gallery wall.

[@theartassignment]

Go for it! All of that stuff was seriously floating around my office. The key is not to overthink it. Gather a bunch of stuff (make sure to have larger things in there, too), do a loose arrangement on the floor, and start pinning.

[@julianna8151]

do any of yall hear periodic high pitched ringing in this vid

[@teszter704]

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[@niteflitetheknitter]

Yeah, seems like that's in the background music. Thankfully, the English subtitles are accurate, so I turned off the audio.

[@cloeschaub]

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[@Foto22417]

yep...

[@Scribe13013]

That's art....it symbolizes...migration

[@AmbientWalking]

What a beautiful episode. And a great subject to touch on.

[@berni1602]

I wasn't expecting to see anything about Mexican history here (I'm a Mexican, btw). But I loved how you included and presented our history in this video. As you said, it was an important pilgrimage, especially because it was the craddle of today's society. And we don't know yet everything about our ancestors, every now and then we know about a new discovery in a place we thought we used to know, and that's really exciting! What can be below all modern buildings?

[@bruceneeley1724]

Brilliant. Art Assignment at its informative best.

[@vaibhav6826]

Akbarnama has always been taught to us in schools here in India as a masterpiece of Art and culture in Mughal Era in our country but this viewpoint was fresh and i liked to see it in this way. Also migration in today's world is a topic of great importance where we are seeing people shifting from and to places because of political unrest or economic instability. Thank you for the video.

[@theartassignment]

This is great to hear. More should know about it outside of India! I didn't learn about the Akbarnama until graduate school, and it was a revelation.

[@cosmicbodyguards4285]

I’m a white American 29 year old SO READY to expand my understanding of the world I live in. Keep popping my bubble please. I am in the process of unlearning my own understanding of history from a “victorious” American/European viewpoint & just simply leaning back and taking in what info wants to come into me. It’s really expanded my consciousness, my capacity for love, and my own range of creative abilities too. Also, Sarah....Green? John Green is a guest on here sometimes. Are they a married couple?

[@john-lukedurham1430]

Yay Sarah talking about ancient art!

[@Glorrriana]

Love hearing about my moana peoples! There are so many moana artists working today that re-work and reimagine bark cloth motifs in their art - would be cool to see some of them in future videos

[@hannekeroos4585]

Another quality video!

[@robertotostado2364]

I'm starting a new series of paintings about migration. This is great information. Thanks

[@ha-nhuanong9813]

Thank you Sarah for this amazing video as usual. I'm going to major in Art History next fall and probably one of the few who do so where I live, Vietnam. It's fascinating to see many different cultures represented. Maybe a future video on Vietnamese contemporary art movement since 1980s?

[@theartassignment]

Point me to some resources!

[@ha-nhuanong9813]

@@theartassignment it's still much underrepresented, a respectable source would be either hard to find or outdated. The only source i could find is the outdated book "Vietnamese Contemporary Art 1990-2010" by Bui Nhu Huong and Pham Trung, which I bought in the municipal museum. Don't know if it's available online. So for the foreseeable future, much effort is needed to research on and put together systematically this subject matter

[@theartassignment]

Thanks! If there are particular artists you like, that may be a better jumping off point. No pressure, but feel free to share some names if you like.

[@ha-nhuanong9813]

@@theartassignmentI'm into Thao Nguyen Phan's poetic work right now. She's received a lot of international attention lately since her many awards. Here's a link to her website: www.thaonguyenphan.com/ . Also we can continue this conversation via email if you'd like to. I'd be more than pleased to exchange thoughts on our art scene with you.

[@cule189911]

Great videos! you should explore the connection between art and architecture

[@GreatGoatRebellion]

I love this video. The world today is filled with people who are afraid of migration and migrant populations, but refuse to understand why and how it happens. It's not a new phenomenon, but when education systems only value certain histories, it's easy to forget that migration has been happening for millennia and to lose compassion for vulnerable migrant populations. So I think it's really important to shed light on the cultural contributions made by migrants, not only in art, but also in things like food and learning.

[@enzmondo]

Probably my favourite set of art pieces are those that chronicled the migration of the Mexica people into modern day Mexico. As it was pointed out in the video, it is based on a mix of true events and faith and mythology. Those kinds of stories always interest me because it shows humanity's relentless habit of believing in the unseeable but still thriving because of it. It's like whatever is or isn't there is still what pushes all of us to live and thrive everyday. That's why I don't like neglecting religion and faith when reviewing and analysing history. They really are a major driving force of past events. If history is dependent on the people who live through and, therefore, make it, and religion and faith are important parts of what a person is, then religion and faith are definitely important pieces of history.

[@WelcometotheMuseum]

Thomas Schütte, Die Fremden (The Strangers) (1992) for example. First appeared at the Documenta IX in Kassel and now is still standing there, at the top of the palace, not so far from the main venue of Documenta. When I visited Kassel two years ago, this artwork seemed to remain its up-to-dateness, especially in the context of recent refugee catastrophe. European artists raise this theme quite often nowadays in their artworks. So it is great to see a different response to the same problem throughout the time.

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Thank you for all the great videos. They are really informative. Love the presentation of the contents too... Can you also do some videos on art books or good books on artists works or books on art techniques and mediums and so on..... Just a suggestion. :) Thanks again for all the awesome videos...

[@adrianehartmann8711]

Very interesting examples, thank you. Another examples would be the Barbarian migration, especially the Goths in Italy, where the late ancient world, Christianity and old Germanic traditions made for a fascinating mix.

[@gabrielsanchezviveros6086]

Dear Sarah, thank you for this great KZbin channel. Will you be able to list for me the "five videos that focuses on an aspect of life today and looks back" you talks about in this video! I do will appreciate.

[@evremkan2758]

I would love to see a part 2

[@RichardLightburn]

I really really liked this!

[@MsFunkyblues]

This is brilliant!

[@TheChannelXY]

I LOVE your videos♥🔥

[@eugeniap.guardado8926]

con los pelitos de punta después de escuchar que es el primero de 5 videos.

[@rigomiller9913]

Look up "Basura De La Tempestad" featured at the Magnolia Art Gallery in Houston.

[@DiMon-jd4lf]

I just love it, I can't explain

[@paintingtutorials2d3dprodu22]

wonderful video I love ur channel

[@MsLazyllama101]

I use the Jacob Lawrence series in my history class when I teach the Great Migration.

[@theartassignment]

It's remarkable how many sides of the story he was able to tell in these 60 panels, isn't it?!

[@ashishvishnusomvanshi]

Very nice video on migration. I am one of the Individuals looking to migrate out of India Permanently.

[@adriannpollmann7340]

so educational! thank you! :)

[@durango-CODEBUILDER]

That Migration series is incredible!

[@bleedinggumsroberts3579]

Great video great art

[@MrCarrotbadger]

One beautiful textile of the Swedish artist Eva Ek-Schaeffer: “the escape” or “flykten”. I do not remember the story behind the piece but it’s strikes me nonetheless

[@Mjao519]

Check out the (children's) book "I arrived here on a small leaf" or "Jag kom hit på ett litet blad" painted by Maya Jönsson mayajonsson.se and written by Sarah Vegna

[@kwuzie2265]

great video other than the high high pitch ringing in the background... i think it's part of the background music in the first part? It scared my cats.

[@sakuradeva555]

Beautiful, I think while this doesn't count as art, my sister got here 23 and me results and honestly knowing we have such a diverse background was really illuminating, the whole lit up basically and it's inspired us to try and dig deeper into our ethnic background, at least on my mom's side since we are Latina there's just a whole bunch stuff genetically speaking.

[@theartassignment]

Doesn't matter whether or not it's "art," it's still really cool!

[@sakuradeva555]

@@theartassignment thank you love your videos so much

[@atillahanozturk3502]

Can you do a video on having a fine arts degree? And also if it is useful or not?

[@MK.5198]

I am having trouble thinking of art pieces that stand out as chronicles of internet migration. Perhaps videos describing the problems present in a place shortly before that place was abandoned?

[@TheLittleLostLamb]

i saw a peice in london where somebody filmed refugee centers using military grade cameras, that effected me

[@aznSeddie]

The Boxer Codex is an interesting one since it's pretty much the only real glimpse of what pre-colonial Philippines was like, even though this was all during early Spanish contact. But even more interesting than that are the depictions of non-Filipino Asian migrants/presence in the Philippines. I wish I could have the translated version of the codex, but it's $240+.

[@jayaram322]

Amazing💕😍 🎨

[@zoesaverage]

European art post-invasion in Australia holds conflicted place in my heart. I always wanted to know what everything looked like before European stole the land I grew up on. After reading the book Dark Emu I can look at this art with a new appreciation for the science and culture that Aboriginal people used to cultivate the land. It's a picture of migration story, new colonisers vs. the land Aboriginal people's were forced off.

[@SexyBakanishi]

I love this series, but what is that awful high pitch ringing sound in the background of the first half of the video. It's really distracting from the art and the voiceover :(

[@teszter704]

Was about to comment the same!

[@elsa9532]

Excellent video as always. This might seem strange, I think I prefer it when the presenter sits down to present the video?

[@theartassignment]

Hahah. Good to know! Standing was an experiment for this one.

[@MCAndyT]

Is this like an Elvis Presley thing where he was filmed from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan show?

[@Xenolilly]

World history AND art history.

[@theartassignment]

YAS.

[@qwaqwa1960]

Is it just me, or is Ai Wei Wei the greatest living artist? I am always so moved by his work and words.

[@goliaboi]

How about some more contemporary artists on migration?

[@RYOkEkEN]

Word

[@viniciusvallesalves3029]

Please check M.I.A's music video for "Borders". It's a great contemporary work about this topic

[@CarlEuegene]

Thos vodeo is major!!!

[@allenc.2436]

Go look up Diaspora by Delotavo! It's good.