Whilst museums are free and are owned by ‘the people’, we actually have very little to do with them in regards to what we do and don’t see inside; that could be because some of us are fairly clueless when it comes to art and like to be told what’s ‘good’. However, the National Museum Wales is embarking on something different to change all that. In partnership with the Derek Williams Trust, which aims to educate the public in and in appreciation of contemporary art through public display, Who Decides? gives the power to the people, whilst educating them on contemporary art.
Curated by The Wallich, a charity that supports those who have experienced homelessness in Wales, the Who Decides? exhibition features paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and films all acquired by Derek Williams and the museum. In addition, over 70 ceramic works from Anita Besson’s (1933-2015) private collection that were left to Derek, will be displayed together and publicly for the first time. The works are designed by 13 makers, including Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Ryoji Kole and Claudi Casanovas.
However, this art is not just another display amongst many within the museum. Who Decides? allows visitors to vote for their favourite pieces within the collection. The museum will then remove the most popular piece from their private store, to be placed on public display. National Museum Wales hopes that through this new event, more public involvement will result in improving the overall collection’s accessibility, thus giving the art back to ‘the people’ and creating a more democratic and accountable museum. Beginning in October, and running until September next year, the exhibition has plenty of time to gather a fair and definite census of the piece to keep.
This event is also in celebration of 10 years of collecting contemporary art, as well as a 25-year working partnership between National Museum Wales and the Derek William’s Trust. Featured artists within the Who Decides? collection include Anthony Caro, Bedwyr Williams, Clare Woods, Laura Ford, Olga Chernysheva, Richard Deacon, Richard Long and Paula Rego.
Who Decides?, National Museum Cardiff, Sat 28 Oct – Sun 2 Sept 2018. Admission: free. Info: 030 0111 2333 / museum.wales/cardiff
words CORRIE DAVID