The Art of Benin Essay - 954 Words

Why is the ownership of Benin Art so controversial? The ownership of Benin Art could have been so controversial for a number of reasons. Most notably I would say, is due to the Anthropologists seeing it as a cultural insight into the history of Benin however when people were introduced to start looking at the artefacts from also a more artistic approach, this, for the anthropologists was taking the cultural effect away from it. Some people may have felt hostile to how these artefacts were obtained from Benin to start with. We are informed that they were forcibly removed from their origin by the Westerners and therefore, the natives, especially, felt that this was and is where they belonged and not in a European Gallery. Some see it†¦show more content†¦The main issue lies in the fact that these are key artefacts for Benin and hold a huge part of the culture and history, which for obvious reasons, make these Sculptures more than just an art piece for outsider people to look at. These all hold meaning to the people of Benin an d Africa, yet they have been taken away. Everybody sees art from a different perspective; it will signify something to one person that won’t necessarily be the same as the next person who observes it. However, the problem here is that to the Africans, these artefacts have more or less the same meaning and explanation to them all, symbolising the same things, and cultural events, changes, a description of their history almost. Which therefore really makes you feel where they belong is back in Africa, their true home with representing their true meaning. On the other hand, the debate lies in those who believe the artefacts can be represented in Western countries. Note they do not at any point say they are in the right place by being in the Western side but they do believe that their presence in national galleries throughout much of Europe is and will only be a positive thing for the Africans and the Europeans This view is highlighted by the situation of which we find ourselves in today, for example, very prejudice, biased and unfounded opinions cause much conflict between races, cultures religions and countries and this isShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Art of Benin1045 Words   |  5 PagesWestern attitudes to African people and culture have always affected how their art was appreciated and this has also coloured the response to the art from Benin. Over time concepts of ‘Race’, defined as a distinct group with a common linage, and ‘Primitive’ which pertains to the beginning or origin, , have been inextricably linked with the perception of Africa. The confusion of the two in the minds of people at the end of the 19th centaury, and some of the 20th, caused a sense of superiorityRead More Benin Art in Museums and Galleries Essay1408 Words   |  6 PagesThe display of Benin art in museum and galleries reflect the attitudes and perceptions of Europeans towards non-western artefacts, especially African. Thus as European attitudes change towards non-western art since the discovery of Benin art in 1897, Benin art has been revaluated and re-categorised. Initially there was a great deal of debate about Benin art and its display, as it did not equate with the perceptions then held about Africa. 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