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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 50| April 2001
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Cook
& Omai 15 February27 May
2001 |
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In 1774, the first Polynesian to visit London travelled to England with the crew of Captain Cooks second voyage to the Pacific and became an overnight sensation. Seen as a living example of the Noble Savage, Omai, as he was known, was discussed by scientists and philosophers, celebrated in all the best circles and written about in everything from poetry to pornography. He proved a lightning rod for European sentiments and anxieties regarding imperialism, civilisation and the true nature of mankind. The artistic and literary legacy of Omais encounter with Europe provides a fascinating insight into European culture in a moment of transition, when old certainties were collapsing and new ones were yet to form. The exhibition, curated by the National Library in association with the Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University, draws strongly on the Librarys magnificent Rex Nan Kivell Collection and features the work of major eighteenth-century artists such as Sir Joshua Reynolds, William Hodges and John Webber.
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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au