Displays of Power: Colonial Legacies and their Manifestations
| Date | Thursday 29 October 2026 |
| Time | 18.00-20.00 BST |
| Location | At the museum (Theatre) and online (Zoom) |
| Speaker | Alisha O'Brien-Coker |
Join Alisha O'Brien-Coker to explore the relationship between colonialism and visual culture, tracing the way in which structures of power have been historically represented within the Wallace Collection and beyond. In considering the social and historical context of these works, we will interrogate the role of art as both a signifier and facilitator of colonial ideals. At the same time, we will identify how some contemporary artists today continue to respond to these legacies, offering alternative ways of thinking with and through these materials.
About the speaker: Alisha O'Brien-Coker currently works as the curatorial assistant for Modern British Art at Tate Britain whilst also completing an MA in History of Art at UCL, both supported by the Rosenberg Memorial Fund. Since graduating in 2023 from the University of History, she has worked in the curatorial field, including the Wallace Collection, where she contributed to the collection’s research and interpretation. Between 2024-25, she trained as a curatorial fellow at New Curators, co-curating Duane Linklater’s first major UK institutional exhibition, akâmi- at Camden Art Centre.
Take part at the museum: No ticket required, drop in on the day. Join us in the Theatre for this special talk.
Watch online: This talk will also be broadcast live from the museum via Zoom. Book a free ticket online to receive a Zoom link. Ticketholders will also receive a link to view a recording of the talk, which will be available for two weeks only.