The British Museum is facing criticism over a new exhibition.
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Ten stolen gems are featuring in a new collection at the British Museum, causing debate about whether London’s art culture needs to evolve.
In August, the British Museum announced 2,000 artefacts had been lost, damaged, or stolen.
On Thursday, some of the recovered relics will be displayed at the Rediscovering gem exhibition.
According to the Board of Trustees Chair, George Osborne, the collection will fulfil a promise to “show the world the gems – rather than hide them away”.
He says it provides an opportunity to “take control of our own story”.
However, such comments have received criticism of “blindness” in the face of ongoing debates of ownerships for collections such as the Elgin Marbles and Asante gold.
Nathan Bossoh, Research Associate at the British Science Museum, says the comments showed the “privilege and prestige” of London’s art institutions.
He believes London’s art culture is “rooted in imperialism” which means the museums have “unfair” entitlement.
Mr Bossoh explains laws such as the British Museum Act 1963 prevent some London museums permanently returning historically stolen artefacts. And believes people “are not aware of how destructive it is and how it lingers today”.
He argues this has a wider affect on London’s art culture which he says has been embedded “historically and largely to do with imperial wealth, prestige and colonial control”.
He says museums should stop “assuming ownership” of collections. Believing this could help London’s wider art community to “create new relationships within the UK and internationally”.
According to activist and lawyer Dr Shola Mog-Shogbamimu, laws such as the British Museum Act are “the height of colonial mentality”.
She says it is “immoral” that the law is applied differently depending on whether “Britain benefits”.
Despite criticism, Mr Osborne says the Rediscovering gems exhibition shows “another example of culture change” within the British Museum.
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HeadlineLondon’s Art Culture ‘rooted in imperalism’
Short HeadlineLondon's Art Culture 'rooted in imperalism'
StandfirstExhibition of stolen artefacts prompts discussion on London's art culture.
Ten stolen gems are featuring in a new collection at the British Museum, causing debate about whether London’s art culture needs to evolve.
In August, the British Museum announced 2,000 artefacts had been lost, damaged, or stolen.
On Thursday, some of the recovered relics will be displayed at the Rediscovering gem exhibition.
According to the Board of Trustees Chair, George Osborne, the collection will fulfil a promise to “show the world the gems – rather than hide them away”.
He says it provides an opportunity to “take control of our own story”.
However, such comments have received criticism of “blindness” in the face of ongoing debates of ownerships for collections such as the Elgin Marbles and Asante gold.
Nathan Bossoh, Research Associate at the British Science Museum, says the comments showed the “privilege and prestige” of London’s art institutions.
He believes London’s art culture is “rooted in imperialism” which means the museums have “unfair” entitlement.
Mr Bossoh explains laws such as the British Museum Act 1963 prevent some London museums permanently returning historically stolen artefacts. And believes people “are not aware of how destructive it is and how it lingers today”.
He argues this has a wider affect on London’s art culture which he says has been embedded “historically and largely to do with imperial wealth, prestige and colonial control”.
He says museums should stop “assuming ownership” of collections. Believing this could help London’s wider art community to “create new relationships within the UK and internationally”.
According to activist and lawyer Dr Shola Mog-Shogbamimu, laws such as the British Museum Act are “the height of colonial mentality”.
She says it is “immoral” that the law is applied differently depending on whether “Britain benefits”.
Despite criticism, Mr Osborne says the Rediscovering gems exhibition shows “another example of culture change” within the British Museum.
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