Join us for this interactive Object Handling Session led by the St Andrews Preservation Trust, 3.30-5.00pm, Seminar Room 2, Arts Building, University of St Andrews, KY16 9AX
In 2023, the St Andrews Preservation Trust organised the exhibition St Andrews and Empire at its Museum. This resulted from research begun in 2021 to examine colonial links in the Trust’s collection and explore possibilities for decolonisation. Most objects in the St Andrews Preservation Trust’s collection date from the peak of the British Empire in the early 20th century. Examining the collection through the lens of empire has provided new perspectives on the origin of objects, and the impact on people across the world. These objects are a snapshot of the hundreds of objects in the Trust’s collection linked to colonialism and empire. Telling their stories represent first steps in an ongoing process exploring the wider, and perhaps more complex, narratives that the collection holds.
This interactive event, which will include object handling led by Ashab Ahmad (Project Outreach Officer at the St Andrews Preservation Trust) will provide the opportunity to reflect on some of the items that featured in the St Andrews and Empire exhibition, the possibilities and challenges of decolonisation, and on the links between St Andrews, colonialism, empire and diaspora more broadly. At a moment when the Trust is undergoing a major redevelopment programme, this is a timely moment to think ahead to the future stories the Museum might tell.
This event is supported by the St Andrews Centre for Contemporary Art and Scotland’s Future Series. It is held in conjunction with the Transnational Island Museologies Conference, but you do not need to be registered as a delegate at the event to attend. Please book your tickets via Eventbrite.
Top Image: China and Darjeeling Tea Packet from St Andrews grocers Aikman and Terra. Bottom Image: Har.052. St Andrews Harbour. C.1890. Both scourtesy St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum.
This activity is part of a wider research project that was selected by the European Research Council (ERC) and funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with project reference: EP/X023036/1. It is coordinated by the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews in collaboration with the International Council of Museums (ICOM)’s International Committee of Museology (ICOFOM). For more information, please see the Transnational Island Museologies website.