"Primitivism" stated that it was only interested in displaying tribal works that influenced Modern artists and studying how this phenomenon functioned within the Modernist discourse. Many of the tribal works were presented vis-à-vis Modernist works when little or no historical evidence of these works drawing inspiration from specific "primitive" works or, in some cases, even a "primitive" idiom.
"Primitivism" asserted its focus was solely on showcasing tribal pieces that influenced Modern artists, examining how this trend operated within the Modernist framework. Tribal works were often juxtaposed with Modernist works when there was little or no evidence of these works drawing inspiration from specific "primitive" sources or even a "primitive" style.