Today, thousands of African artefacts that were stolen during the colonial era are enclosed behind screens of glass in western museums. Removed from their communities and natural environments, the ongoing display of these artefacts perpetuates colonial violence. Museums are now facing this difficult and violent past, and their own role in it, as they grapple with their colonial history. What is an appropriate and ethical response?
In this episode, Dr. Rachel Gillett and Malina Yallanki speak with Professor Dan Hicks and Subhadra Das to explore the legacies of empire in museums, the ‘controversy’ surrounding the possession of colonial artefacts, and how museums, as institutions, might move forward.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
How do museums exist as legacies of empire? What are the cultural implications of displaying looted artefacts? Is it enough to just return stolen artefacts? What does it mean to decolonise museums?
Check out Dan’s new book ‘The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution’ here: https://www.plutobooks.com/9781786806840/the-brutish -museums/
Check out Subhadra’s podcast series titled ‘What does Eugenics mean to us?’ here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/racism-racialisation/what-does-eugenics-mean-us
MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
• Follow Mwazulu Diyabanza and the UDC’s work here: www.marron-unitedignitecourage.net
• ‘The Museum will not be Decolonised’ by Sumaya Kassim https://mediadiversified.org/2017/11/15/the-museum-will-not-be-decolonised/
• Artist Viktor Ehikhamenor at Dan’s Book Launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vxx3bb-8Qs
• ‘The Past Can’t Heal Us’ by Lea David
• ‘Africa’s Struggle for its Art’ by Bénédicte Savoy
Professor Dan Hicks: https://twitter.com/profdanhicks
Subhadra Das: https://twitter.com/littlegaudy
ABOUT
Brought to you by the UGlobe Decolonisation Group
Hosted by Rachel Gillett and Malina Yallanki
Sound by Stephan Venmans
Music by CarlosCarty (CC-BY-3.0)
Production assistance from Edan Simpson and Malina Yallanki
Special thanks to our guests Professor Dan Hicks and Subhadra Das
