London's National Gallery and the 'Centre of Empire', 1824-1924
Lead Research Organisation:
Birkbeck, University of London
Department Name: History of Art
Abstract
My research seeks to examine how wealth and power accrued from colonial extraction
and administration contribute to the formation and acquisition of The National Gallery's
collections from 1824 to 1924. I will investigate and map out the foundational networks
and connections embedded in the institution with links to the British Empire to answer
the following questions: Which of The National Gallery's keepers, directors, trustees,
collectors and benefactors were involved in colonial projects? How were they involved,
and how did they benefit from these projects? Which works in The National Gallery were
acquired through these benefits?
For this research, I will not only focus on tangible financial gains and benefits for these
colonial administrators, but also the resultant impacts (which are often less tangible) on
indigenous and colonised populations. I hope to draw out these connections in relation to
the institutional history of The National Gallery. Being of Asian descent, I am particularly
interested in the connections and projects related to, but not limited to, British India, the
Straits Settlements, and the British East India Company.
I am also keen to look at strategies The National Gallery could adopt to articulate and
reflect on its connections with the British Empire. I hope to support The National Gallery
in engaging with contemporary audiences - making the Gallery open, transparent,
and inclusive for diverse audiences, especially those who have to live with the residual
negative impacts of the British Empire.
My recent research focuses on contemporary networks and legacies of the British
Empire. My MA thesis "Washing White: Colonial legacies of Singapore and the United
Kingdom" proposed ethical approaches in dealing with colonial histories embedded in
architecture. In my works, I have an interest in creating space for lesser-known histories
and marginalised communities alongside and sometimes above dominant narratives.
I am keen to adopt these approaches for my doctoral research, aiming to uncover
networks of the British Empire hidden within the institution and to approach them
ethically.
and administration contribute to the formation and acquisition of The National Gallery's
collections from 1824 to 1924. I will investigate and map out the foundational networks
and connections embedded in the institution with links to the British Empire to answer
the following questions: Which of The National Gallery's keepers, directors, trustees,
collectors and benefactors were involved in colonial projects? How were they involved,
and how did they benefit from these projects? Which works in The National Gallery were
acquired through these benefits?
For this research, I will not only focus on tangible financial gains and benefits for these
colonial administrators, but also the resultant impacts (which are often less tangible) on
indigenous and colonised populations. I hope to draw out these connections in relation to
the institutional history of The National Gallery. Being of Asian descent, I am particularly
interested in the connections and projects related to, but not limited to, British India, the
Straits Settlements, and the British East India Company.
I am also keen to look at strategies The National Gallery could adopt to articulate and
reflect on its connections with the British Empire. I hope to support The National Gallery
in engaging with contemporary audiences - making the Gallery open, transparent,
and inclusive for diverse audiences, especially those who have to live with the residual
negative impacts of the British Empire.
My recent research focuses on contemporary networks and legacies of the British
Empire. My MA thesis "Washing White: Colonial legacies of Singapore and the United
Kingdom" proposed ethical approaches in dealing with colonial histories embedded in
architecture. In my works, I have an interest in creating space for lesser-known histories
and marginalised communities alongside and sometimes above dominant narratives.
I am keen to adopt these approaches for my doctoral research, aiming to uncover
networks of the British Empire hidden within the institution and to approach them
ethically.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sarah Thomas (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Sean Cham (Student) |