Ethnographic Collecting and African Agency in Early Colonial West Africa:
A Study of Trans- Imperial Cultural Flows

Dr Zachary Kingdon (World Museum Liverpool) will discuss the history of a remarkable collection of West African artworks housed at the World Museum Liverpool.

Zachary Kingdon’s new book illuminates the history of a remarkable collection of West African artworks housed at the World Museum Liverpool and other institutions in northwest England, which reflects Liverpool’s early colonial shipping and commercial links with western Africa.

His study provides a new assessment of the role played by African coastal elites in the creation of museum ‘ethnography’ collections in Britain and offers a new understanding of African collections in British museums.

In his talk, Kingdon will outline the early colonial context in which African artworks were gathered and explore particular African strategies of resistance and collaboration implicated in the creation of World Museum African collection.

Kingdon’s presentation will be followed by an in-conversation with Professor Charles Forsdick (University of Liverpool).

Refreshments will be served from 5pm, the talk will start at 5.30pm. A wine reception will take place after the talk at 7pm.

Save 35% on Zachary Kingson's book.