Indigenous narratives recentered through material and metaphor in IAIA MoCNA’s 'Paper Trails'
Original framing: “IN REVIEW: To be felt, not read — ‘Paper Trails: Unfolding Indigenous Narratives’ at IAIA MoCNA” — bing news
The exhibition draws on Indigenous knowledge systems by using paper as a metaphor for the fragility and resilience of Indigenous narratives. The triangles symbolize interconnectedness and the layered nature of oral histories. This aligns with Indigenous epistemologies that prioritize relationality and lived experience.
The 'Paper Trails' exhibition at IAIA MoCNA is not merely an art show but a systemic intervention in the decolonization of museum spaces.
By centering Indigenous materials, forms, and epistemologies, it challenges the colonial logic that has long governed Western art institutions. The exhibition draws on deep historical traditions of Indigenous resistance and storytelling, while also modeling future pathways for Indigenous-led curation and intergenerational knowledge transmission. Its cross-cultural resonance underscores the universality of Indigenous struggles for cultural sovereignty, and its artistic and spiritual dimensions offer a holistic vision of what decolonization can look like in practice.