Primitivist

Primitivist is a term used to describe adherents of primitivism, a broad set of ideas that question the assumed progress of industrial civilization and, in some forms, advocate a return to pre-industrial ways of life. The term also labels artists and writers whose work draws on “primitive” or non-Western sources.

In art, primitivism refers to a modernist tendency in the early 20th century to borrow from non-European and prehistoric art. Western artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and others incorporated simplified forms, bold silhouettes, and perceived primitive aesthetics from African, Oceanic, and Indigenous American artefacts. Primitivist influences helped shape movements including early Cubism and Expressionism. The approach has been criticized for presenting colonialist stereotypes and for objectifying non-Western cultures.

In philosophy and political thought, primitivism critiques the foundations of modern technology, industry, and social organization. Some primitivists argue for deindustrialization or for living in ways that minimize ecological impact, while others advocate abolition of large-scale technological systems. Prominent contemporary writers associated with anti-civilization or anarcho-primitivist currents include John Zerzan and, in related discussions, Derrick Jensen. Debates around primitivism address questions of feasibility, individual safety, ecological restoration, and social justice.

A broader scholarly use of the term notes its influence across disciplines and its contested status within both art history and political theory. Not all critiques of civilization advocate a single path, and many discussions emphasize sustainable living, indigenous knowledge, and critical engagement with modern technologies rather than a wholesale rejection of civilization.