Featherwork, Empowerment & Protest

Monday 24 April, 12.30 

With Rosa Dyer

Rosa's research at the Pitt Rivers Museum is focused on the use of feathers in objects made by South American Indigenous peoples. The project takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from areas of anthropology, ethnobiology, ornithology and museum studies to consider the dynamic relationships held between Indigenous peoples, birds and environments.

Rosa's research aims to engage with current Indigenous resistance movements occurring in South America, where feathered artefacts, alongside face paint and music, are being used as tools for empowerment to protest against biodiversity loss, threats to Indigenous cultural heritage and the defence of territorial rights.

Part of our Research Spotlights series

On the last Monday of the month join Pitt Rivers Museum researchers in the galleries for interactive talks bringing cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary research to life. In 2023, connect with objects and images from the collections and get to know the work of visual and evolutionary anthropologists, curatorial activists, health-care researchers and many other specialists who are accessing the museum to take their research in new directions and to connect with new people.  

Where: Meet underneath the Star House Crest Pole (Haida Totem Pole) in the Museum’s Court for talks to start at 12.30.  

Who: All are welcome to attend, from families to museum aficionados!  

Accessibility: Talks will be wheelchair accessible, may involve material that can be handled and we can provide follow-up info over email for visitors.      

Is there a particular aspect of the Pitt Rivers’ works that you want to hear more about?  Tweet us to let us know @Pitt_Rivers #PRMResearchSpotlight