Crypto Artist Swaps British Museum Coin in Protest
A Brazilian conceptual artist, Ilê Sartuzi, has sparked controversy by swapping a historical British coin for a fake at the British Museum. Sartuzi claims this act was intended to highlight the museum’s vast collection of artifacts from around the world, many of which were acquired through colonialism.
Sartuzi, who has exhibited internationally, says the idea came to him after seeing a museum volunteer offering coins to visitors. He chose an English Civil War-era silver coin, saying it was one of the few truly “British” items in the museum. He then cleverly created a distraction, swapped the coin for a fake, and deposited the original in the museum’s collection box on his way out.
The British Museum has condemned Sartuzi’s actions, calling them “disappointing and derivative.” They have also informed the police about the incident. The museum has been under scrutiny lately regarding its collection practices, with countries like Greece and Nigeria demanding the return of artifacts they consider to be stolen.
Sartuzi maintains that his act is a form of art activism, protesting the legacy of imperialism. He believes that museums like the British Museum, and institutions like the Louvre in France, “view themselves as the holders of the treasures of humanity,” but fail to acknowledge the problematic origins of many of their pieces.
While this incident highlights a complex issue surrounding the ownership and display of historical artifacts, it also raises questions about the security of museums and the ethics of artistic protest.
