Introduction

Objects tell stories, stories of people, periods of time, and entire cultures. Museums seek to tell a similar story, showcasing pieces with the purpose of mapping out a story, however, the ways in which these objects are obtained, displayed, defined and represented have become an increasing issue, leaving many with ethical concerns on who holds the authority to claim ownership and tell that object's story. The following exhibit seeks to highlight several instances where the display of several objects in museums has been challenged in terms of its legitimacy, arguing that a collaborative model between the current holder and its represented cultural group is vital in telling the objects story.