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The Colonial Story of the Art in Our Museums: Why We Need to Talk About It

Abe Mitchell

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The Whole Picture: The colonial story of the art in our museums & why we need to talk about it

by Alice Procter

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8601 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	246 pages

The art in our museums tells a story. It's a story of beauty and creativity, but it's also a story of colonialism, conquest, and exploitation. It's a story that we need to talk about, in order to understand the present and build a more just future.

The Colonial Era

The colonial era was a time of great upheaval and change. European powers, driven by greed and a desire for power, set out to conquer and colonize the world. They did this through violence, disease, and exploitation. They also did it through culture.

The art that was created during the colonial era reflects the power dynamics of the time. European artists often depicted themselves as superior to the people they colonized. They portrayed themselves as civilized and rational, while the people they colonized were portrayed as savage and irrational.

This art was used to justify the violence and exploitation of colonialism. It helped to create a sense of superiority among Europeans and a sense of inferiority among the people they colonized.

The Legacy of Colonialism

The legacy of colonialism is still felt today. The art in our museums is a reminder of the violence and exploitation that took place during that time. It's also a reminder of the ways in which colonialism continues to shape our world.

The art in our museums can be a powerful tool for education and awareness. It can help us to understand the history of colonialism and its impact on the world today. It can also help us to build a more just and equitable future.

Talking About Colonialism

Talking about colonialism is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable and confrontational. But it's a conversation that we need to have. We need to talk about the history of colonialism and its impact on the world today. We need to talk about the ways in which colonialism continues to shape our lives.

Talking about colonialism is the first step towards building a more just and equitable future. It's a future in which the art in our museums tells a different story. A story of equality, respect, and understanding.

The art in our museums is a powerful reminder of the history of colonialism and its impact on the world today. It's a story that we need to talk about, in order to understand the present and build a more just future.

Talking about colonialism is not always easy, but it's a conversation that we need to have. It's a conversation that can help us to build a more just and equitable future. A future in which the art in our museums tells a different story. A story of equality, respect, and understanding.

The Whole Picture: The colonial story of the art in our museums & why we need to talk about it

by Alice Procter

4.4 out of 5