‘Perspectives: Collecting the World’ at Montrose Museum
‘Perspectives: Collecting the World’, an exhibition curated by ANGUSalive, will be on display at Montrose Museum from 2 August to 3 November 2025.
This exhibition will take you on a journey of discovery to far flung places and help give an understanding of the ways in which the history of Angus is interwoven with world history. You will see unique and rare objects from around the world which are on display for the first time in decades.
This includes iconic samurai armour, a beautifully embellished wall panel from the Imperial Palace in China, hand-crafted Fijian war clubs, and the manuscripts of explorer and diplomat Alexander Burnes who almost, but not quite, changed the course of world history.
The Angus World Cultures collection was largely amassed in the 19th century and features some of the earliest collecting held in Angus museum stores, revealing how early museums played a fundamental part in our historic understanding of different cultures and societies. The 19th century development of museums runs in tandem with the story of the British Empire, this area of the collection therefore unlocks the story of Angus and empire.
Many cultural organisations are now working towards decolonising their museums and collections. For ANGUSalive this has included work to present a more balanced narrative by researching the cultural and historical context of our World Cultures collection objects in depth, and through challenging the Eurocentric perspective that has been pervasive. This project is funded by Museums Galleries Scotland and began in January 2024.
Ingrid Leon, ANGUSalive Curatorial Assistant (World Cultures) said: “We’d like to ask visitors to be part of our conversation to re-discover history by exploring the legacies of Empire and colonialism in the museum collections, our towns and in our national identity. Learn about the curiosity, tenacity and intelligence of Angus people as they travelled around the world collecting objects, but also learn more about the ethical questions surrounding the objects in this collection. We hope to take as many people as possible with us on this journey of learning as we explore Angus, Empire and the world.”
Emma Gilliland, ANGUSalive Museums & Galleries Collections Lead, said: “Thanks to Museums Galleries Scotland we have been able to undertake this vital work to research and share Angus’s links to colonialism and the slave trade. Not only has this project allowed us to research an under-documented area of our collection, but we have joined global museum conservations about repatriation and decolonising museum collections. Colonial history is uncomfortable, and the devastating legacy is still grappled with today; we will continue to learn from this project and are grateful to colleagues from across the sector who have helped us approach this work with sensitivity.”
As part of the wider project, the team have also developed a series of upcoming events, details of which will be available through the ANGUSalive website and social media, and an educational resource for local schools which explores Angus’s links to the slave trade. Conservation work has also been necessary to safely display an East India Company officer’s uniform and a suit of Samurai armour; we are grateful to The Costume Society and Angus Council Common Good for funding this work. The Samurai armour in particular was found to be in an advanced state of decay and due to the complex remedial treatment it requires will not be on display until October.
However, ANGUSalive are happy to share that it will be on display for the full run of the exhibition’s second iteration at the Forfar Meffan Museum & Art Gallery from 26 January to 23 April 2026. This iteration will platform further research and crucially will also showcase contemporary responses to the World Cultures collection.
The need to collaborate and diversify the curatorial voice was identified early in the project and funding was awarded from Creative Scotland to support this work. ANGUSalive will be working in partnership with 3 creative practitioners: Kelly Zou, Renuka Ramanujam, and Sean Wai Keung. All 3 have different approaches and creative outputs which will make a meaningful contribution to the project and positive engagement with the local community. More will be shared about their work in the coming months.
The exhibition is free to visit, and Montrose Museum is currently open Wednesday to Monday 10.30am to 4pm, closed on a Tuesday.
Find out more about the World Cultures project and the Perspectives exhibition at www.angusalive.scot/museums-galleries/world-cultures-collection/