An ethics committee has labeled a floor-to-ceiling mural at a British restaurant as “offensive.” Painted by Rex Whistler when he was twenty-three, the mural is around one hundred years old. Titled “The Expedition in Pursuit of Rare Meats,” it depicts enslaved children and caricatures of Chinese people. Whistler aimed to illustrate the grand adventures of sourcing exotic foods and goods.
Controversial Restoration and Criticism
Restored in 2013 despite depicting enslaved Black children in ropes, the mural faced criticism in July. The critique group “White Pube” highlighted the outdated content, drawing attention to the offensive imagery. Recently, “White Pube” has gained international recognition, with Vogue Magazine calling them “self-styled cowboy critics shaking up the arts establishment.”
