With so many fantastic museums dotted around London, the never-ending list of must-see exhibitions can sometimes be a daunting task to partake in. Step into the British Museum’s latest offering, and you’ll find yourself in a space that’s both opulent and a little uneasy, questioning narratives within colonialism and the museum industry at large.
Spotlighting artist Hew Locke, this exhibition is a bold, self-aware commentary on the museum’s own history, the art of storytelling, and the complex legacies of empire.
Known for his intricate and politically charged work, Locke has created an experience that challenges visitors to rethink their assumptions about wealth, authority, and historical narratives, so don’t miss out if you consider yourself a history buff or connoisseur of the arts.
Hew Lock: What have we here?
As you walk through the exhibit, you’re greeted by Locke’s signature use of mixed media and different art forms, hyphened even further by the British Museum’s collection. There’s a theatricality to the space, with life-sized sculptures, heavily adorned busts, and elaborate wall hangings, all demanding your attention.
The standout pieces are reimaginings of classical European sculptures, draped in gold chains, beads, medals, and other embellishments that blur the lines between a celebration and a critique.
The newly-commissioned sculptures are a centrepiece at the exhibition, all of which are said to be observing visitors from vantage points throughout the space, acting in the manner of a Greek chorus and in constant dialogue with objects from the Museum collection.
Speaking of, beloved collection treasures and lesser-known objects from Africa, India and the Caribbean will be on display, examining British imperial power while considering the heavy debates of cultural identity that come with huge museums like this.
The beautifully thought-out narrative fosters the imagination, using juxtapositions of the British Museum’s collection and Lock’s art to curate this unmissable exhibition.
The exhibition’s setting makes the exhibition all the more compelling, with the museum itself becoming part of the story. Its grand halls and colonial collections serving as a backdrop–and as a foil–for Lock’s critique.
You can catch Hew Lock: What have we here at the British Museum until February 9, 2025. Tickets cost £16, with members and under 16s free-of-charge. For more information, click here to visit the British Museum website.