Children of the Great Whale: The story of gold and goldsmithing in Ghana
The 2024 Goldsmiths’ Company Lecture | Wednesday 22 May, 6-8pm | Goldsmiths’ Hall
Thomas Edward Bowdich, “The First Day of the Yam Custom”, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, 1819
The Asantehene (king) Osei Bonsu of Kumasi in the midst of a procession, seated in a chair of ebony and gold under the state umbrella (with the elephant on top). He wears items that symbolise his fearlessness, leadership and role as guardian of his people.
The Goldsmiths’ Company is honoured to welcome curator and cultural historian, Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE, to deliver the 2024 Goldsmiths’ Company Lecture - Children of the Great Whale: The story of gold and goldsmithing in Ghana.
It was once said that after it rained, you could pick gold nuggets from the rivers and streams that ran through central Asante. A fantastical story perhaps, but from the early seventeenth century, tales of Asante gold had travelled from the coast of West Africa to the empires of Europe and were soon followed by exquisite objects cast from the precious metal and vast quantities of the ore itself - creating a complex relationship with gold that has been both a blessing and curse for the peoples of the region. On the 150th anniversary of the British invasion of Asante, this talk will look at what gold meant and means to the peoples of West Africa, how it shaped their story as the Gold Coast colony, and how the precious metal holds influence over the destiny of Ghana today.
Bookings for this event are now closed.
About our speaker
Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE, Director of V&A East, Professor of Practice, SOAS, University of London is a curator and cultural historian who focuses on African culture. He was previously the Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art; the most comprehensive collection-based museum and research centre dedicated to African art in the world.
Gus has presented two series of The Lost Kingdoms of Africa for the BBC (along with writing the companion book) and has lectured widely on African art and culture, advising national and international bodies (including the United Nations and the Canadian, Dutch and Norwegian Arts Councils) on heritage and culture.
His 2017 TED talk, The powerful stories that shaped Africa, has been viewed more than 1.3 million times.
In 2005, Casely-Hayford deployed his leadership, curatorial, fundraising and communications skills to organise the biggest celebration of Africa that Britain has ever hosted; more than 150 organisations put on more than 1,000 exhibitions and events to showcase African culture. In 2019, Gus was appointed as the inaugural director of V&A East, a brand new museum and storehouse in East London that will revolutionise access to the V&A’s collection - providing universal unprecedented and free platform from which to tell new stories of theatre, performance, art, and design.
Over the course of his career Gus has been a constant champion for the arts, with his contribution being formally acknowledged in 2018 with the award of an OBE.
Terms & Conditions:
Tickets for the 2024 Goldsmiths’ Company Lecture are priced at £15 per person, are limited to two per booking, and are non-refundable
Tickets must be booked in the name of the person who is attending - photo ID that matches the name on the booking will be required to gain entry
Goldsmiths’ Company Members (Freemen, Liverymen, Associates) must register their attendance through the Members’ Portal and should not book tickets through this page
Security & bag policy
Goldsmiths’ Hall operates Airport style enhanced security procedures for all public events - these include a bag scanner and a security arch. Suitcases and items larger than a laptop bag are not permitted inside the building. Our cloakroom, situated downstairs, can be used free of charge for coats, bags and umbrellas.
Disabled access to Goldsmiths’ Hall
The main entrance to Goldsmiths’ Hall is on Foster Lane and may not be suitable for visitors who require step-free access. Those who are require level access from street level should ring the bell on Carey Lane, for assistance and access by lift. If you have any concerns or questions about visiting the building, please email us.
The first floor Public Rooms can be accessed by lift from within the ground floor lobby.
A disabled toilet is situated beside the Ground Floor lift on the Ground Floor.