The British Museum unveils a captivating exhibition showcasing over 80 prints by Pablo Picasso, offering a fresh perspective on the artist’s prolific career. This unique collection delves into his lesser-known work as a printmaker, revealing the versatility and evolution of his artistic vision.
Artist Hew Locke’s latest exhibition at the British Museum, ‘What Have We Here?’, confronts the museum’s colonial past head-on, challenging viewers to grapple with the contentious history of its collection. Through a curated selection of over 150 objects, Locke reimagines the narrative, offering a perspective from the colonized, not the colonizer. This insightful exhibition, a ‘beautiful can of worms,’ explores the complexities of empire, colonialism, and restitution, prompting critical dialogue about the future of museums in a changing world.
The British Museum is considering charging foreign visitors an entrance fee of £20 to help fund restoration and expansion. This move, proposed by the former interim director, Sir Mark Jones, would break from the UK’s tradition of free access to public galleries and align the country with international practices. The revenue would also help reduce ticket prices for special exhibitions and alleviate overcrowding.
In a remarkable turn of events, the British Museum has successfully tracked down and retrieved 626 stolen artifacts, bringing the total number of recovered items to a staggering 626. This remarkable achievement comes after the initial discovery last year that approximately 2,000 items, dating back centuries, had mysteriously vanished from the museum’s collection. The recovery effort was sparked by reports that some of the missing pieces were being sold on eBay, prompting the museum to launch a comprehensive investigation.
