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17 October 2025 – 8 February 2026
Experience the Polynesian concept of VĀ, the sacred connection between people, objects and place, in our vibrant new display celebrating the life of Mai – the first ever Polynesian visitor to Britain, immortalised in paint by leading British artist Sir Joshua Reynolds in the 1700s.
Step into our gallery transformed by arts collective SaVĀge K’lub and immerse yourself in an explosion of colour, pattern, art and storytelling. In conversation with Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai – on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, London and Getty – members of the K’lub from Tahiti, Hawaii and Aotearoa (New Zealand) bring together historic Polynesian objects from the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge and contemporary artworks.
From ancestral ‘tao’a’ (treasures) like musical instruments, weapons and objects from the home to contemporary prints, jewellery, sculpture and more, Journeys with Mai (Te tere o Mai) explores questions of connection, belonging and legacy.
Journeys with Mai is a partnership project between the National Portrait Gallery, London; Bradford District Museums and Galleries; the Fitzwilliam Museum, in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge; and The Box, Plymouth.
Journeys with Mai is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Art Fund, the Fitzwilliam Museum Marlay Group and other supporters.
Known as ‘Omai’ in England, Mai was from the island of Raʻiātea, now part of French Polynesia. In 1774 he chose to travel to England with Captain James Cook and spent the next 18 months in London. As the first Polynesian visitor to Britain, Mai became a celebrity in late-1700s England, socialising with fashionable society, royalty and the elite and was painted by many of the leading artists of the day. He then returned to Polynesia in 1777 where he died two years later.
17 October 2025 – 8 February 2026
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays: 12 – 5pm. Last entrance 4.40pm
This display is free to visit and there’s no need to book.
Step-free access is available to all floors. Large print guides are available. For more information, head to our Visit us page.
Gallery 10
For group bookings of 10 people or more including UK school and university groups, commercial groups or tours, head to our Visit us page for more information.
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