What role does rattan play in addressing colonial legacies through abstract art?

Rattan, a natural material deeply rooted in tropical cultures, has emerged as a powerful medium in abstract art to confront and reinterpret colonial legacies. Artists utilize its organic flexibility and historical associations to challenge dominant narratives, weaving themes of resistance, memory, and cultural reclamation. By transforming rattan into abstract forms, creators subvert traditional craft stereotypes imposed during colonial eras, asserting indigenous perspectives. The material’s tactile authenticity bridges past and present, offering a visceral critique of exploitation while celebrating resilience. This artistic practice not only deconstructs colonial aesthetics but also redefines rattan as a symbol of decolonization—where fragility and strength coexist to reshape identity beyond historical oppression.