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Resume
Taylor Polston
Phone: (559)430-5229
Email: [email protected]
Education
2023 BA, Animation, California State University- Fresno, Fresno, CA
Experience
2016-present Tattoo design commission work
2023 Docent, Phebe Conley Gallery, Fresno, CA
Exhibitions
2022 Student Art Show, Phebe Conley Gallery, Fresno, CA
2023 Group Exhibition, Dean’s Gallery, California State University-Fresno, Fresno, CA
2023. Senior Art Show, Phebe Conley Gallery, Fresno, CA
Best in photography award.
Skills
2013-present Digital photography
2020-present 2D animation
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Essay from ARTH 10
Essay Prompt #15: Elgin Marbles
Taylor Polston ARTH 10 Course 03
A source of controversy in the art world involves ancient art that resides in countries that are not of their origin. For example, art like the Elgin Marbles of Greece, that currently reside in the United Kingdom. In recent times there has been much more of a call to return art works back to their culture and country of origin. Repatriation is the term used to refer to reuniting the art with its home country. An example of repatriation would be the Paris Quai Branly museum returning bronze statues to Nigeria that had originally been looted in 1892 (Porterfield). Although many works are being returned, there are also many that are not. The question of “should they be returned,” is an ongoing argument that doesn’t seem to have an exact end in sight.
One major source of controversy is the Elgin Marbles. In the nineteenth century, the Ottoman Empire had control over Greece. A British Ambassador and Earl of Elgin, Thomas Bruce, decided he wanted to remove marble sculptures from the Parthenon. So, with permission from the Ottomans’, Bruce made the order to remove the sculptures and have them sent back to England. Since the Parthenon was being used by the military at the time, Bruce claimed to be protecting the serving art works from ruin by removing them to be preserved (Stokstad). He was immediately criticized, however, those against him became silent once he laid out his arguments. Eventually, the marble
works, now called Elgin Marbles, were purchased by the British Crown for about thirty five thousand pounds (“Elgin Marbles”).
Throughout recent times, the Greek government has made ongoing attempts to have these marbles retuned. However, the United Kingdom has continuously refused to participate in the repatriation of these works, claiming they are preserving them. To this day they can be viewed at the British Museum in London. Although Greece does not have possession of the authentic work, they do have a plaster cast of the marble work on display at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. This museum can be found next to the Elgin Marbles original home. The Parthenon (“Elgin Marbles”).
It is hard to say if Thomas Bruce’s true intent was to preserve the marbles instead of leaving them in a war zone, however, Greece is no longer a war heavy country. The United Kingdom stating they are preserving them doesn’t seem like a good enough argument to not return them to Greece. This is because Greece also has the means to preserve and protect these art works if they were to be returned. It is also assumed they already have a location for them, as they would probably replace their plaster counterparts.
In terms of other works in similar circumstances, it may makes sense to not return items that are important to art and culture history. This is only if the country they originally hail from does not have the ability to properly care for the works and the work would become destroyed if returned. Some may argue that if they get ruined in their home country that is that countries arrogative because they won them. However, any see art, even those from foreign countries, s something owned by all and not just
specific countries. This is because art not only shows the story of a countries future but gives people a glimpse into history that wasn’t explicitly recorded. It can also be argued that art from various countries should be found in museums so that people from various cultures can enjoy and learn about other cultures. However, it would also be a good middle ground for agreements to be made with the country of origin so that the works don’t feel stolen but instead their “home” has been agreed upon or at least have temporary placement.
In regards to the Elgin Marbles, there doesn’t seem to be a valid reason why they should to be returned to Greece. This cannot be said for all artworks, as it may be poor judgement to return art to war torn countries who don’t have the ability to take of them. Repatriation will probably always be a controversial topic because of all the wars and conquering of the past and what there will probably be more of in the future.
Works Cited
“Elgin Marbles.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 24 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Elgin-Marbles.
Porterfield, Carlie. “Europe's Museums, Collectors Are Returning Artifacts to Countries of Origin amid Fresh Scrutiny.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 9 Nov. 2022, https:// www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/10/27/europes-museums-collectors- are-returning-artifacts-to-countries-of-origin-amid-fresh-scrutiny/? sh=11b247d7675b.
Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael Watt Cothren. Art History, 5th ed., Pearson, Boston, 2014, p. 133.
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