The Captain's Ghost features projects by three artists who were inspired by the cross-cultural exchanges that occurred during Captain James Cook's voyages in the South Pacific. The exhibition, which includes artists' projects by acclaimed New Zealand photographer Mark Adams, prominent Auckland artist Christine Hellyar and well-known, Sydney-based photographer Debra Philips, draws attention to the complexity of cross-cultural encounter and exchange during this period of exploration.

At The Adam Gallery - Victoria University until 23 July

Image: Christine Hellyar, Seed Beds (2005), Gods' Eyes (2005), Fabric, crochet, rope. Collection of the artist.The Captain's Ghost features projects by three artists who were inspired by the cross-cultural exchanges that occurred during Captain James Cook's voyages in the South Pacific. The exhibition, which includes artists' projects by acclaimed New Zealand photographer Mark Adams, prominent Auckland artist Christine Hellyar and well-known, Sydney-based photographer Debra Philips, draws attention to the complexity of cross-cultural encounter and exchange during this period of exploration.

At The Adam Gallery - Victoria University until 23 July

Image: Christine Hellyar, Seed Beds (2005), Gods' Eyes (2005), Fabric, crochet, rope. Collection of the artist.In bringing together these artists' works the exhibition focuses on the processes of cultural exchange, and the physical, botanical and cultural cross-fertilisation that occurred during these early voyages.

As Adam Art Gallery Director, Sophie McIntyre states "the artists reflect on the historical and cultural significance of cross-cultural encounter - focusing on the relationships that developed and the traces left behind following Cook's early explorations to the South Pacific."

Photographer Mark Adams' new series entitled 'Cook's Sites' charts the ghostly monuments to Cook's voyages throughout the South Pacific and Australia. This series of highly-charged black and white prints were shown at the Museum of Sydney in 2005 as part of a larger exhibition Cook's Sites curated by acclaimed writer and anthropologist Nicholas Thomas. This series acknowledges both the violence of these early encounters, as well as the moments of cross-cultural discovery and reciprocity.

Sculptor Christine Hellyar's site-specific installation, 'Captain Cook's Gardens' draws on the organic and domestic artefacts that remained after Cook's visits. The work combines culturally specific motifs and objects, along with items left behind from Cook's voyages in the South Pacific such as crochet doilies, plants, and period era dresses. This combination creates a playful and insightful reflection on the impact of colonisation on our national identities.

Australian photographer Debra Phillips' photographic series, '52 sidelong glances' focuses on Joseph Banks' drawings that form the Florilegium created during his journey on the 'Endeavour'. For this series Phillips has photographed the front and back of the engraved copper plates of the Florilegium to create a beautiful series of diptychs that draw attention to the Florilegium's essential role in the description and exoticisation of the South Pacific during the 18th Century.

Accompanying this selection of contemporary artists' works is a significant collection of historical images and botanical specimens drawn from the collection of Te Papa Tongarewa. This collection has been brought together by prominent Wellington-based curator and historian, Ian Wedde, who has written extensively on Cook's voyages.

Exhibition Dates: 26 May - 23 July 2006

Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University of Wellington
Gate 3, Kelburn Parade, Wellington
hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm (closed Monday/ University and Public Holidays)
tel: 463 5489 or 463 5229
email: adam-art-gallery@vuw.ac.nz
website: www.vuw.ac.nz/adamartgal