"At first glance, an artwork might not appear outwardly political. Yet it is not enough to see it for aesthetic purposes only. Art requires us to pay attention, to question – and appreciate – what we are looking at, but also to see what lies beyond it. Take textiles, an art form historically deemed as 'decorative' by the establishment, because of its association with women’s work. But what this categorisation actually reveals is a deep political subtext – the struggle for women’s rights of the last 500 years." MUST READ!
"Tumblr's war on sex" from Today, Explained by Vox on Apple Podcasts
Today, Explained did a show on Monday about the Tumblr ban. They mentioned how it will affect sex workers, lgbt+, artists. Barely scratched surface but was good listen, if you don’t know what’s with the hoopla or find your Tumblr affected.
A few days ago Etsy changed their site policies that prohibit a variety of animal products including walrus ivory and petrified mammoth ivory. This means Alaska Native arts that include these traditional materials, that are harvested legally and in conjunction with subsistence will no longer be allowed on the site.
Below is the email Amber Webb, who you can find on facebook here and here, who is Alaska Native, sent to Etsy and their response.
Images read:
Via etsy.com/help.contact
Subject: Ivory in Alaska Native Art
Your policy excluding the sale of Alaska Native art that includes ivory is culturally insensitive and reprehensible. If you learn about native culture, you would understand the all of the the distinct Alaska Native cultures that have existed for thousands of years center around hunting as subsistence. This is different than ivory poaching and black market ivory. There is a system of respect around the treatment of animals who give themselves as food for our people's and the art that is created from their ivory. There is an understanding that every part of the animal is used. To exclude ivory is to exclude Alaska Native art. Please, educate your team and change this policy. If you do not change your policy, I will close my account that I've had for several years. I can promise you that you will lose more business than mine if you do not address this issue.
Etsy’s response:
Images read:
Re: Ivory in Alaska Native Art
Hello,
Thanks for checking in about this. We appreciate you taking the time to voice your feedback on this policy. As a global marketplace, we base our policies on both US and international standards. With increased global regulation surrounding ivory and animal products, we can no longer accommodate such products produced by Native Alaskans in our marketplace. We have a deep respect for Native Alaskan crafts, and continue to allow handmade items that meet our policies on animal products: https://www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited#Q2
I'm sorry for the inconvenience this causes, and to hear that you plan on closing your account as a result of this.
Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Best,
Ian
Etsy Marketplace Integrity
https://www.etsy.com/help
I have sent an email as well but have not received a response yet. Unless this policy changes me, my friend, and many other Alaskans will be boycotting Etsy. If you would like to contact Etsy about their new policy that limits the marketplace for legitimate and legal Alaska Native arts I highly encourage you to email them and join the boycott if you are willing and able. Even just a short email will help get the point across.
Underneath the cut I’ve included my email which also has some sources about walrus in Alaska.
Etsy recently changed the prohibited items list to include a variety of prohibited animal products from the site that include walrus ivory and petrified mammoth ivory, both items that are integral to a large portion of Alaska Native arts, including carving and scrimshaw. This ban will directly effect legitimate Alaska Native arts entering the lower 48 with the permission of the artist, as well as effecting Alaska Native artists' income. While this ban may make sense looking at the massive amount of elephant poaching and other types of ivory poaching around the world, it does not make sense to a community who bases their interaction with nature as one of stewardship and mutual respect. The walrus is an essential resource for many Alaska Native communities and therefore is treated as a limited and respected life form, with Native formed commissions that work in conjunction with the state fish and game department to protect and continue the safety of the species.
Comparing this practice to ivory poachers is disrespectful and ignorant. Until this policy has been reconsidered to be more culturally understanding, I will not be using my Etsy account (member since 2009) or recommending any Etsy stores or resources. While I understand the ramifications of this action on my fellow artists, crafters, and small business people, it is a stance I must take to stand with the artists and crafters you are damaging with your policy.
Below I have attached some educational resources that I highly encourage your team to consider.
Bristol Bay Native Association Marine Mammals Program: https://www.bbna.com/our-programs/natural-resources/marine-mammals-program/
Alaska Department of Fish and Game, management of the pacific walrus: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=walrus.management
NPR report November 24, 2016 discussing the ramifications of an ivory ban: https://www.npr.org/2016/11/24/503036303/ivory-ban-hurts-native-alaskans-who-legally-carve-walrus-tusks
Expanded conditions of my self-imposed art ban: I am not allowed to publish anything as a finished piece. Any sketches it concepts I do I am not allowed to share, digitally or irl even with friends. This counts for presents and Christmas cards as well. Sewing is fine if it's for mending clothes, or if I need a new bag, but not for ornamental art like quilting. Knitting is fine, but again I am not allowed to sell it or share it as art. I am going to keep a monthly log of my thoughts to see how this ban affects my mental health and opinions of art and myself. I'll tag it as "art ban" so block it if you don't want to see it or if you're pretentious enough to realize that this whole thing is an extended performance art piece.
