This series uses as their starting point art objects which Gesa Stedman inherited from her British-Canadian grandfather, who worked for the British government in a quasi-diplomatic capacity. The provenance of these objects made by indigenous artists from Canada and China is unknown, and have left Gesa Stedman with a set of questions.
The objects may have been looted, or bought at far too low a price – they are definitely manifestations of a colonialist British past and mind-set, and as objects they would have been freely transported by diplomatic post – hence the diplomat’s bag in the title. While their origins, and in some cases, their use, are unknown, this series aims to give them back their dignity while at the same time acknowledging that the ‘essence’ of each object cannot now be known.
Coming soon: Objects of Soft Power V, 2026, ink, coloured and transparent paper and glue