In what is considered Africa’s last colony, several artists have recognized the potential of creative resistance to achieve social change for the Saharawi people indigenous to the territory of...Show moreIn what is considered Africa’s last colony, several artists have recognized the potential of creative resistance to achieve social change for the Saharawi people indigenous to the territory of Western Sahara. Several Saharawi activists have resorted to non-violent methods to resist Morocco’s occupation and cultivate solidarity in their fight for independence and self-determination of the Saharawi people. This research seeks to complement available literature existing on Saharawi resistance by looking at the works of Saharawi visual artists as methods of creative resistance in the conflict over Western Sahara. By critically analysing available literature on creative resistance, artivism, transnational activism, engaging in different visual artworks and by using narrative interview as a method, this research aimed to understand how Saharawi activists use visual arts as a method of creative resistance to renegotiate identity, challenge prevailing power relations, and generate international awareness of the struggle for the independence and self-determination of Western Sahara. This thesis identified the use of visual art as a way to facilitate social change in the Western Sahara conflict as it grants the Saharawi people the capacity to preserve their identity in the face of cultural genocide, challenge Morocco’s occupation in tactful and effective ways, and mobilize transnational activism. This study could inspire future studies on pro-peaceful narratives to resistance, activism, and social change in conflicts and contexts that involve similar power dynamics.Show less
