The necessary drive for the ‘decolonisation’ of the arts and the restitution of looted artefacts is mounting in light of Black Lives Matter and the antiracism movement.
Britain’s museums and galleries are custodians of internationally significant objects and artefacts, yet many of these items often have an untold, and uncomfortable, story about how they came into the possession of institutions. For hundreds of years colonialism, empire and exploitation were part of the United Kingdom’s story and this landscape often allowed collections to be formed and expanded upon.
Professor Dan Hicks has recently published a book – The Brutish Museums – exploring the aforementioned scenario in depth. In this text, Hicks uses The Benin Bronzes and the debate surrounding their return as a gateway to addressing the debt of British colonialism.
At this online event, Dan will deliver a short presentation on his book and its themes followed by a Q&A with Professor Alixe Bovey and Leyla Bumbra. There will also be time for questions from the audience.