Milk

Fascinating exhibition at the Wellcome Collection looking at the history of milk and our relationship with it.

The points were made clearly with well-chosen objects, films and ephemera. It followed loose themes such as the history of the West’s use of milk, perceived health benefits, production and scientific motherhood.

I had never realised the link between milk and race from the west’s promotion of it as they colonised despite the fact many races can’t digest it to Pro-Trump supporters purposefully drinking milk at rallies as a sign of their whiteness. I felt at times the analogy was stretched a bit too far but it certainly got me thinking.

I also realised I was exactly the right age to have been influenced by a lot of health promotions. I found the section on free school milk particularly nostalgic. I remember the way it froze in winter and went off in summer.

There was a good section on the promotion of scientific advice to women around breast feeding and the politics of that. It might have been interesting to have included a bit more of the Christian promotion of Virgin and Child images particularly where she is shown breastfeeding.

Closed 10 September 2023


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