Oceania at the Academy : Tributes, mourning & the legacy of Cook

Abstract

Lana Lopesi reviews 'Oceania' (2018), exhibited at London's Royal Academy to mark the 250-year anniversary of Captain James Cook's first voyage to the South Pacific. Includes discussion of works by contemporary Moana artists included in the exhibition, including 'Kiko Moana' (2017) by Mata Aho Collective; 'Tell Them' (2012) by Jetñil-Kijiner; 'He Korero Purakau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: story of a New Zealand River' (2011) by Michael Parekowhai; 'Portrait of a life cast' (2010) by Fiona Pardington and 'in Pursuit of Venus [infected]' (2015-17) by Lisa Reihana. Discusses the display of a number of taonga collected on the Cook voyages along with drawings by Tupaia. Considers their display conditions, absence of references to provenance or context and the issue of repatriation, particularly of Moai Hava from Rapa Nui and ki'i from Hawai'i. Mentions responses to the exhibition by Jo Walsh and Ahilapapa Rands of In*ter*is*land Collective published by Contemporary HUM.