Philippine indigenous textiles have historically been interpreted through ethnological frameworks that center on their cultural, social, and historical significance. Concurrently, however, the formal qualities of these textiles can also be investigated through an art historical lens, yet the two perspectives typically operate separately in museum practice. While the former has been instrumental in documenting indigenous communities and material culture, it has often overshadowed the latter which examines textiles as visual and aesthetic objects. This paper focuses on how Philippine indigenous textiles may be interpreted through both ethnology and art history, examining the distinct forms of analyses and limitations that each disciplinary perspective offers. Using the National Museum of the Philippines as a case study, the research combines a review of Philippine weaving studies with an analysis of museum practices and perspectives of research and administrative personnel from the museum's Ethnology and Fine Arts divisions. Drawing on James Clifford's discussion of the art-culture system, the study examines how the two disciplines and their frameworks shape the interpretation of the same textile objects. Rather than presenting one perspective as more appropriate than the other, the paper explores how ethnological and art historical approaches enlighten different dimensions of Philippine indigenous textiles and offer complementary frameworks in analyzing them. In doing so, it contributes to Philippine art historical scholarship by reconsidering the disciplinary perspectives through which indigenous textiles have traditionally been studied.

Authors:
Rozheanne Hilario, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Rozheanne Hilario is Assistant Professor of Philippine Arts at the University of the Philippines Manila. Her research interests include art history, indigenous art, and visual culture. Her current works are on Philippine and Asian weaving studies.

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