Entangled Pasts, 1768–now : Art, Colonialism and Change

Thoughtful exhibition at the Royal Academy addressing the links between the academy and colonialism.

I’d worried this would be a woke, one dimensional show but it was backed up with some fascinating research on the founders and history of the academy alongside contemporary works which commented on the issues raised.

I love the way the first few rooms were weighted towards the early works and organised by the art genres of the time. There were some iconic pieces. I’ve done a number of online talks that have referenced “Watson and the Shark” by John Singleton Copley so I was very excited to see it in the flesh. From the first, elegantly hung room of portraits I was hooked.

As you moved into the later rooms the contemporary art started to take centre stage again with iconic pieces such as Lubiana Himid’s “Naming the Money” and Issac Julien’s wonderful video "Lesson’s of the Hour” on Frederick Douglas.

I came away buzzing with ideas and lots of nuances to think about.

Closes 28 April 2024


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