Brianne Laura Howard
In recent years, revisionism in Canadian museums has created a space for the development of different ways of classifying and representing non-Western visual and material culture. Despite these changes, many mainstream or authoritative museums and other cultural institutions still operate largely as separate from the constituent communities to which the non-Western collections in their possession are directly related. This thesis investigates the complex relationship between three different types of collections of African visual and material culture in Canada, the institutions in which they reside, and the relationship to the constituent communities that have a stake in the reception of these collections. These collections include the ethnographic collection of African artifacts at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the Lang Collection of African Art at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s University in Kingston, and the African cultural collection at the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre in Amherstburg. As this thesis makes clear, the very nature of incorporating, classifying and displaying African visual and material culture in Western museums, which are a direct product of the colonial era, is fraught with contentions. In light of this, the growth in cultural centres in Canada in recent years has the potential to inform mainstream museums, offering new ways of approaching and engaging with not only non-Western objects, but also their diverse constituent communities. By focusing on the discourse of museum representation in relation to African collections in Canada, this thesis posits that these collections can be understood as crucial sites for the promotion of cross-cultural negotiations between African and non-African Canadian communities.
I dedicate this thesis in loving memory of my mother, Sandy Howard, who taught me how to live. For this gift, I am forever grateful. To my father, Gary Howard, who has always been my number one fan, and who has believed in me even when I found it difficult to believe in myself. And, to my best friend and husband, Corey Lynam, who has been and continues to be my rock.
This thesis would not have been possible without the extraordinary support, encouragement, guidance and patience from my supervisor, Lynda Jessup. She has challenged me to ask complex questions and pushed the boundaries of my research and writing. I am grateful for the genuine and endless feedback she has given me over the years. Her careful attention to detail continues to amaze me. Above all, I am thankful for her kindness.
In addition, I would like to acknowledge the faculty of the Queen’s University Department of Art who have helped me to navigate my research and challenged me to think critically, particularly in my course work and during my field exams: Susan Lord, Clive Robertson, Katherine Romba, David McTavish, Janice Helland and Jeffery Brison (History). I am forever grateful for their encouragement and enthusiasm for my work. I would also like to thank Suzanne Gott and Carolyn McHardy (UBC Okanagan) whom I met while living in Kelowna, where I undertook the bulk of my writing. I am forever indebted to them for listening to me unravel my ideas and for welcoming me into their lives.
There are several people who I would like to thank for helping me during my research trips to the three institutions where I undertook the majority of my research: Sylvia Forni and Trudy Nicks at the Royal Ontario Museum for their time and willingness to help me. Alicia Boutilier, Pat Sullivan, and Janet Brooke at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre for their kindness and patience with my endless questions. Kenn Stanton at the North American Black Historical Museum and Cultural Centre for his insight and honesty.
I would also like to thank the people who have formed my larger academic support network over the last few years: Susan Cahill, Sarah Smith, Erin Morton, Carla Taunton, Kristy Holmes, Andrea Terry, Natalie Grynpas, Alena Buis, Miriam Aronowicz, and Tricia Gilrein. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have them in my life. I am indebted to them for sharing their ideas with me and listening to mine, for ‘talking me down off the ledge’ on several occasions, for offering advice and sharing their experiences, for the endless hours on Skype as I moved around the country, for the dinner and coffee dates when I was back in Kingston, for the entertainment during conference trips and for their friendships, which I will cherish forever.
One of the most challenging parts of this degree has been finding a balance between my life as a student and my life outside the university. And so, I would like to especially thank my larger group of “non-academic” friends for reminding me to go outside and have fun every once and a while. They helped keep my sanity intact and find inner peace. I thank them for helping me make the most out of weekends and reminding me of what’s important: Owen and Carissa Bird, Andrew Greer, Byron Higgs, Tim Mahoney and Matt Morrison in Kingston for the endless entertainment and laughs. To Adrienne Downey, Egbert DeGroot and Kara Redden in Montreal for the wining and dining. To Sabina Majkrzak and Luke Cook (and their children, Kai and Neve) in Kelowna for getting me out of the house. To Emily Forbes, Tristan Jenkin, Travis North, Sarah Thorburn, Shayne Russell, Alexis and Perry Jarvis, Leigh Gabel, Maggie and Colin Fraser, Sarah and Jeff Norman, Diana Newman and Cam Sylvester who have become my adopted family in Vancouver and made this the best year of my life.
Finally, I would like to thank my family (immediate and extended). Although my mother passed away before I started this degree, I think she would have been proud of me for pursuing it. Her positive outlook on life, even at the worst of times, has gotten me through this degree. I cannot thank my father enough for always believing in me, supporting me, and for being on the other end of the phone when I needed to talk. Most of all, I would like thanks my husband, Corey Lynam, who has been my biggest supporter over the years. This thesis would have not been possible without his genuine support, encouragement, patience and love.