The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse
This is not exactly on gender critical issues but we often come across, in our campaigning, Cultural Revolution déjà vu, don’t we? For example, when we’re told what words we should or shouldn’t use. Well this is Cultural Revolution territory from the Tate.
Anita Singh in The Telegraph ( BLM moves in under Tate Britain's 'inclusive' rehang 23 May) reports:
The new rehang at Tate Britain has replaced some of its most popular paintings to make space for contemporary works about politics, colonialism and environmental disaster.
In an “inclusive view of art history”, in the words of the gallery’s director, works on display will be accompanied by labels that have been updated to provide historical context.
Beside Joseph Van Aken’s genteel portrait of a family taking tea in 1720, the text explains: “Tea was a bitter drink, sweetened with sugar produced in British colonies in the Caribbean with the labour of enslaved African people.” [ Dusty - thanks, I didn’t know what tea was!].
Spencer Gore’s Rule Britannia, capturing a performance of Our Flag, the popular patriotic ballet, in Leicester Square in 1909, features Danish dancer Britta Petersen as the character of "England". The text notes: “However, the ballet ignores the contested and often violent history of England’s colonial control over the British Isles.” [ Dusty - I’m getting confused - does that include England’s colonial control over England?].
Around 200 works acquired since the turn of the millennium are part of the rehang. To make way for them, many old ones are not on display. They include Sir Anthony Caro’s seminal sculpture Early One Morning, which has been held by the Tate since 1965.
John William Waterhouse’s Lady of Shalott, one of Tate Britain’s most popular paintings, is not part of the grand unveiling. Tate said it was currently on loan to Falmouth Art Gallery and will return.
Rooms exploring the art of Victorian England warn visitors that artists of the time “often overlook, caricature or romanticise the experiences of women, people of colour, workers or those living in poverty”.
Whatever you think of the Pre Raphaelites, you must admit that The Lady of Shalott is a great painting. It is certainly one of the favourite paintings with the public. But it doesn’t fit in any longer apparently.
I don’t mind a caption that tells you a bit about the artist and a bit about the painting but I certainly don’t want to be told what to think about a work of art! I’ll give you an example.
Fairly recently I went to an exhibition of the great war photographer, Don McCullin. This included the shocking photo below:
Next to it was a caption with the words of McCullin explaining how he came to take the photo. He was turning a corner in Beirut when he heard a shot. There were six young Falangist Christian lads, one holding a machine gun and one holding a mandolin. On the ground was a dead Palestinian girl. McCullin hesitated. The lad with the gun told him to take his photo. So he quickly did that and then pegged it. But neither the gallery nor the photographer were telling me what to think about the then war in Lebanon. That is how it should be. I rest my case 😎
Here is the full article:
The Monster Behind Gender Theory
Always worth reminding ourselves where this madness came from - Dr John Money. Great interview by Jordan Peterson with Miriam Grossman.
Kathleen Stock
And another good interview this time on UnHerd with Kathleen about the upcoming Oxford Union speech. On non-binary, she says: ‘It just means someone with interesting hair.’ 🤣
See also my piece in last night’s update about this matter.
Denise Fahmy
Update from Denise Fahmy about her Tribunal case which she is in the middle of ( against the Arts Council):
Update on Fighting bias at the top of the Arts Council
Dear friends
Today, Tuesday, is the 4th day of my employment tribunal hearing. You can follow the case so far At tribunal tweets Substack or @tribunaltweets.
It’s been stressful so far and quite an experience !
Yesterdays press release from the UN also provides a global context for the bullying of women and girls - do read it when you get a chance.Here
In the meantime believe it or not I am still fundraising to meet my legal costs - do share again
And thank you for your support
Denise
Best of luck, Denise.
Glinner Double Bill
We started with Glinner and Mole at the Counter writing hilariously about the recent Gaurdian article about trans and non-binary which EDI also reported and I cross-posted on here:
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/dr-woo
Here is Glinner’s piece:
https://grahamlinehan.substack.com/p/the-trans-movement-is-white-privilege
Some fun is had in the comments as well including ‘genderwhateverthefuck’ and ‘she’s on a journey…to outer space’ 😎
and the relief of the Good News Supplement from JL as ever:
https://grahamlinehan.substack.com/p/a-week-in-the-war-on-women-monday-5cb
EDI Jester
Today’s first report is on the fact that, after being medicalised, children with gender dysphoria end up on even more psychotropic drugs which shows that the treatment is, Barry says, iatrogenic i.e. the treatment itself is causing the problem!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbxzlVJp2ok&t=1s
Meanwhile the Cambridge Footlights are employing a sensitivity reader - what will John Cleese ( whose career -as with many of the other Pythons - began there) have to say about this!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU7LSX6w3L8
The Times
My mate, Fingers has landed loads more Times cuttings on me which I will read on the train tomorrow ( see below).
Normal Service
I am going to the Chelsea Flower Show tomorrow 😎🌻
Hopefully I will be doing the next update on Thursday 😇
Thanks Dusty, have a wonderful day at Chelsea. I’m jealous. I’m aching from gardening so intend to spend the day relaxing, watching more of those videos of yours and catching up with some of your ‘back pages’…..another great Dylan song springs to mind.
Sensitivity readers at Cambridge 🤦🏻 No comment.