Hew Locke: What Have We Here?

The British Museum, London October 17th 2024 - 9th February 2025

Notes from an Exhibition -

We Have Lots of Loot!!! The British Museum has never done it for me - reminders of what we have done to others, stolen, aquired and claimed as badges of greatness. Ultimately exclamations of Empire!

This exhibition was a refreshing look at our history and a starting point for long overdue conversations relating to what and how we acquired the museum's contents, amongst many other shady and shameful threads of our past and present.

Here are my notes, photos and online findings following a vivt .to the exhibition I made in November 2024

Hew Locke's exhibition at the British Museum explores the connections between the museum's collections and empire, raising questions about colonialism by juxtaposing objects from various cultures and periods with his own work. Join Locke and co-curator Isabel Seligman for a tour of this thought-provoking exhibition.

Exhibition Tour

"I have just turned 65 and I think - shit boy I've lived to see this!" Hew Locke

'I am hoping people come out of this with more questions than answers?' Huw Locke

'This exhibition is a beautiful can of worms' – Hew Locke

The Royals - Weighed down by their history.

Hew Locke states, ‘I want to encourage close looking, to get people to think about the stories behind these objects. This is a treasure trove of complicated stories, messy stories, horrible stories sometimes.'

The Victorian Empire and People as 'Collectables!'

Repatriating some items is complex - for others it more straightforward!!!

The Watchers - looking out from another realm, asking - What are you doing here? What's your involvement here?

One of Locke's The Watchers. A Greek Chorus observing us, observing the exhibition!

The fabrics and the masks reflect the looted and sacred objects. One dress is a Jamaican share certifcate.

I live 12 miles from Brum - history really in plain sight!

Added significance since Trump attempts to end the birthright of citizenship for indigenous people in the U.S.

So true! We are still convinced of our importance in the world. I think many still see us as part of the great empire.

Jamaica's 'Elgin Marbles'

Tibet - a conflict I just was not even aware of.

So much to reflect on as a nation! So much to be ashamed of!

A bird with its head turned towards its tail, it illustrates an Akan proverb about the importance of looking to the past in order to move forward and build a stronger future – a fitting symbol for the exhibition and its concerns. 

Locke observes, 'I'm trying to bend the past and the present together. The exhibition itself is circular – its end links to its beginning. We should look to the past and previous mistakes to become wiser.'

'Empires come! Empires go! Nothing is static.  Let’s just be aware.' Hew Locke

Read more about the exhibition

November 2024