IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section B

Abstract

Migrant maker culture, which transmits traditional craftsmanship skills and knowledge within both local and global communities, serves as a conduit for both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. While there have been recent studies on the migration dimension of maker culture, including the materiality of migration, migratory aesthetics, migrant women’s maker practices, and migrant creativity, these studies often overlook the power dynamics that shape mobility and perpetuate inequalities between the Global North and the Global South. This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework through a review of literature in migration studies, critical heritage studies, and design theory, in order to better understand the cultural heritage of migrant makers. Specifically, it will explore how researchers can reflect on and theorize migrant maker practices by using decolonial perspectives. The paper will also engage with critiques from decolonial theory that challenge dominant paradigms, practices, and narratives that frequently prioritize Western aesthetics, values, and technologies in design. Finally, this article critiques traditional heritage studies through a decolonial lens and discusses how the perspectives of migrant makers can provide new insights for addressing power imbalances between the Global North and the Global South.