I thought that was an interesting piece in the Observer. When I read it I realised the chap was right, but I had never really noticed the lack of black/Asian faces until it was pointed out.
Its a bit like how you don't notice how few black cab drivers are non-white until someone mentions it.
There is a glimmer of hope, and it lies in the ethnic minorities that Albert failed to mention. He said that there are hardly any if you don't count the staff and tourists, but it occurs to me that on my lunchtime visits to the NG there are actually quite a few black visitors but they are nearly all in school parties and sitting cross-legged on the floor sketching. There are even more over at Tate Modern.
Will they get engaged enough to continue visiting after leaving school?
Not so sure about how the cultural content of the paintings or origins of artists affects the mix of visitors though. There are sometimes exhibitions of African art at the museums and galleries - do they attract more of a mix or just the same crowd? (Also.. at Tate Modern how can you tell a Rothko from an Ofili anyway?)
Neil, you might want to know that EineKleineRob has written a piece to Oliver Kamm about what he said and has posted it as a blog here.
And I received a reply and have replied in turn. See update here.
It's not a very detailed response is it!
Oliver Kamm has asked me to point out, on my blog and in your comments box, that he made the comment to which you refer without any expectation or indication from me that it would be published, and considers such publication to be bad form. I have apologised to Mr Kamm and he has accepted my apology.
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