The Australian National Maritime Museum reopened to the public on Monday, June 22 with two stellar new exhibitions to see. Under Southern Skies and From Kupe to Cook explore not just the traditional, colonial perspectives of James Cook's navigation (and 'discovery') of Australia and the Pacific, but also the perspectives of First Nations people involved in those encounters.
Under Southern Skies is an installation which includes new collections from Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and tells the story of Indigenous Pacific navigation around Oceania. Historically, little credit has been given to First Peoples in regards to their knowledge and scientific methods of celestial navigation. The exhibition also includes new pieces associated with James Cook and other European navigators, including artefacts on Dutch, Portuguese, French, Spanish and British cultures.
From Kupe to Cook focuses on art from leading Aotearoa/New Zealand, Pacifica and Australian First Nations artists. These artists delve into the history of sailing and voyaging around the Pacific – from the legendary Polynesian Kupe over 1,000 years ago to the arrival of Cook. The exhibition is intended to dismantle misconceptions about European 'discovery' and reflect on the ancient knowledge sources that predate colonial navigational history.
While you're there, why not check out the host of other exhibitions on display? Visitors can also take a look around the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, as well as Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Ocean Predators which delves into the mysteries of the deep.