Touring for the first time since it was saved for the nation in 2023, the stunning Portrait of Mai by Sir Joshua Reynolds (c.1776) has arrived at The Box in Plymouth where it’s taking centre stage in a major exhibition that runs until 14 June.

Journeys with Mai re-examines what is considered to be Reynolds’ finest work within the context of Plymouth’s local and global histories. Mai’s portrait is displayed alongside paintings, etchings, watercolours and objects from The Box and a range of national collections. Together they build a picture of early encounters between Europeans and South Pacific Island peoples from different perspectives.

Formerly known as 'Omai' in England, Mai (c.1753-1779) travelled between Ra‘iātea (French Polynesia) and England as part of Captain James Cook's second and third voyages, both of which departed from Plymouth. He was in Britain from 1774-1776 and it was during this time that Plympton-born Reynolds painted his celebrated work which was jointly acquired by The Getty and National Portrait Gallery for £50m in 2023.

The painting is shown alongside depictions of many of the key players behind Britain’s seafaring expansion in the 1700s, a new soundscape by Tahitian artist Hinatea Columbani, a monumental video work by New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana, and a new film commission by Devon-based artist Mohini Chandra. The exhibition also highlights new research into Mai’s time in Plymouth in the late 1770s.

Journeys with Mai is a national partnership project led by the National Portrait Gallery, Bradford District Museums and Galleries, the Fitzwilliam Museum, in collaboration with the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge and The Box. The project is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Art Fund and others.

Find out more from www.theboxplymouth.com.