The British Museum is currently engaging in discussions with four foreign governments regarding the return of ancient artefacts. This move has sparked a wide range of reactions, including criticism from national treasure @RafHM for negotiating the return of these items. The discussions come amid broader conversations about the museum's transparency and handling of artefacts, highlighted by an investigation by the United Kingdom's information watchdog over the museum's possession of sacred Ethiopian altar tablets, which have been kept away from public view for over 150 years. Furthermore, British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare has expressed skepticism about the safety of artefacts at the museum and has a major solo show at the Serpentine Gallery that addresses themes of colonialism and the return of cultural items, such as the Benin Bronzes. Notably, Germany returned some Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022 and even funded the construction of a museum for them. However, Nigeria's outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the Oba of Benin, has decided not to put them on public display.
The British Museum is facing an investigation by the United Kingdom's information watchdog over claims that it has not been transparent about a collection of sacred Ethiopian altar tablets held away from public view for more than 150 years. https://t.co/yXSs1EmNfx
The @britishmuseum is in discussion with govts to return artifacts. Germany in 2022 returned some Benin Bronzes to Nigeria & even paid & built a museum. But Nigeria's outgoing president, Muhammadu Buhari, gave them to Buhari is the Oba of Benin & won't be put on public display.β¦ https://t.co/5VMAFQ9aOm
National treasure @RafHM criticises the Philistines at the @britishmuseum, as they are in discussions to return artifacts to foreign govts. Along with the Louvre, Paris & Metropolitan Museum in NY, they are the only "Encyclopaedic" museums which covers global civilisation. https://t.co/Cp0jjhDoqQ
British-Nigerian artist @ShonibareStudio has a major solo show opening at the Serpentine Gallery later this month #frontpage He talks to @NancyDurrant about the long arm of colonialism, why art needs to engage, and why the Benin Bronzes should be sent home https://t.co/p6L2idplNW
British Museum in talks with four foreign governments about returning ancient artefacts https://t.co/L1140vbgoV
Yinka Shonibare: "The argument that things are safer at the British Museum is a little bit shaky now" https://t.co/s2DuG4XFrZ
I hugely enjoyed talking to @SHONIBARESTUDIO last week for the @EveningStandard @ESCulture - a great artist and a great talker β¬οΈ. My dad and I marvelled anew at Nelsonβs Ship in a Bottle at Greenwich this weekend https://t.co/dFWr11uuWB