PhD Oral Exam - Diana Marcela Torres Molano, Art History

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

How has community-based art led by women creators contributed to confronting violence and promoting peace in Colombia, a country recovering from a civil war? (1948-2016). This dissertation highlights the often-overlooked role of women in peacebuilding at a local level through their artistic endeavours. It focuses on the period from 2010 to 2024 when art practices adopted a communal approach, primarily driven by women from rural and peripheral communities. The thesis highlights how their creative work has become crucial in reconciliation outside official frameworks, allowing them to denounce and challenge violence and engage with their communities through art.

The study establishes the concept of "arte denunciante" (art that denounces), encompassing art forms that confront violence, historical oppression, and systemic injustices in multiple contexts. Through the lenses of race and gender, it addresses how women's practices of "arte denunciate" have evolved from traditional approaches in museums and galleries to more inclusive, community-driven processes of social change. Thus, the research frames community-based “arte denunciante” as "invented spaces" and "sites of re-existence," showcasing their role in providing platforms for historically excluded voices and fostering communal reconciliation. By focusing on the creative strategies of Colombian women and their impact on local peace-building, the research underscores the broader relevance of “arte denunciante” as an approach applicable to global contexts experiencing conflict and violence.

The methodology of this reserach, which incorporated a "SentirPensar" (feeling-thinking) approach, was based on genuine connections with artists, active listening, site visits, and critical analyses of case studies. As such, the research was developed through oral history interviews with eight artists creating “arte denunciate" and site visits conducted in four peripheral regions in Colombia, including two urban centers and two rural towns.