This work investigates the historical and cultural construction of the concept of 'primitivism' within Western art and anthropological discourse. Susan Hiller, an artist and cultural theorist, examines how Western institutions have historically categorized non-Western artifacts and cultural practices as 'primitive' to reinforce colonial hierarchies. The book provides a critical framework for understanding the power dynamics inherent in the collection, display, and interpretation of cultural objects from indigenous societies.

Experts in art history and visual culture frequently cite this text as a foundational critique of the institutional biases present in museum curation. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong background in critical theory to fully synthesize the author's arguments.