The Whole Picture

The Whole Picture by Alice Procter offers an illuminating and provocative dive into the complex world of art history and museum culture. With a narrative that unfolds like a gripping detective story, Procter guides readers through a meticulous examination of the colonial and imperial legacies that underpin many of the world's most renowned cultural institutions. Her forensic approach ensures that once familiar exhibits are now viewed through a lens of critical awareness, turning the art world on its head.

The book is an accessible yet scholarly critique that encourages readers to look beyond the grand architecture and polished exhibits of museums and galleries to uncover the deeply entrenched colonial histories that these institutions often obscure. Through her incisive analysis, Procter addresses pivotal questions: Should museums return artefacts obtained during colonial rule? Is it truly possible to decolonise galleries? Must we confront the legacies of controversial figures such as Cecil Rhodes?

Alice Procter, who created the revolutionary Uncomfortable Art Tours, delivers a compelling manual for deconstructing conventional narratives about art and history. Her work provides the tools to question the stories typically presented within these cultural spaces and to give voice to those that have been systematically silenced or ignored. Her narrative is a call to action, urging us to rethink and disrupt traditional interpretations of art.

Organised into four thoughtfully structured sections, the book delves into different types of art spaces: The Palace, The Classroom, The Memorial, and The Playground. Each section reveals enlightening and often startling stories behind various art pieces. For example, readers learn about the propaganda painting used by the East India Company to justify its rule in India. Procter also highlights the gruesome practice of collecting tattooed Maori skulls as 'art objects' by European collectors. Furthermore, the book explores the contemporary art scene, showcasing how modern artists are actively engaging with and challenging colonial history through their work and activism.

Financial Times describes The Whole Picture as "probing, jargon-free and written with the pace of a detective story," praising Procter for dissecting western museum culture with such intensity that readers may never view these institutions the same way again. Sumaya Kassim applauds the book as "a smart, accessible and brilliantly structured work" that pushes readers to explore the problematic colonial histories behind cultural institutions.

The Whole Picture is an essential read for anyone interested in art, history, and the ongoing discussions around decolonisation. By challenging accepted narratives and advocating for a more critical engagement with art and museums, Procter equips readers with the knowledge to question and rethink the way art is presented and preserved.