ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

ARTMargins Issue 14.3 Examines Decolonizing Art Colonies

publication · 2026-04-19

ARTMargins has published its third issue of volume 14, focusing on the problematic category of art colonies. Authored by Jane Eckett, the special issue questions the relevance of art colonies today, historically seen as 19th and early 20th-century retreats where artists escaped urban centers for natural settings. These colonies were driven by a "zurück zur Natur" philosophy, aiming to depict rural laborers rather than professional models. The publication explores themes of collectivity, communities, and connectedness in the context of decolonization, challenging traditional narratives. It is copyrighted by ARTMargins and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025, with full access available online. The issue prompts a reevaluation of art colonies' legacies and their contemporary implications.

Key facts

  • ARTMargins published Volume 14, Issue 3 in 2025
  • The issue is titled 'Collectivity, Communities, Connectedness: Decolonizing Art Colonies'
  • Jane Eckett authored the content
  • It examines art colonies as a problematic category
  • Art colonies historically emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries
  • Colonies were based on a 'zurück zur Natur' philosophy
  • Artists sought inspiration from rural and coastal areas
  • The publication is copyrighted by ARTMargins and MIT

Entities

Artists

  • Jane Eckett

Institutions

  • ARTMargins
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sources