The roots of museums in colonialism

Museums have long positioned themselves as neutral spaces that preserve humanity's cultural heritage. But they are in fact legacies of colonialism, with roots in the display of treasures collected during imperial and colonial rule. Today, these histories shapes how they display objects and often hide or ignore histories of violence underneath.

Recent campaigns led by Majority World artists and cultural workers are pressuring institutions to confront their colonial collections and engage in dialogues with the communities of origin. The Museum of British Colonialism is an example of this effort, producing online exhibitions, documentaries, and educational resources that challenge colonial narratives and highlight the voices of those who resisted it.

Artists including 'Libérons le Louvre' in Paris have also protesting the museum's ties with fossil fuel companies and called for the repatriation of looted objects. While some museums are returning certain objects, critics argue that true decolonization should go further by addressing institutional practices and accelerating voluntary restitutions.

The article, by Julio Etchart, also discusses the collaborative efforts to challenge the toxic legacy of colonial-era plunder through art that addresses the issues surrounding the repatriation and restitution of stolen artifacts.