The Cult of Celebrity: Omai, The Exotic and Joshua Reynolds

Arts Society Steyning on Joshua Reynolds

In this lecture Leslie will look at the events that led up to Joshua Reynolds’s iconic portrait representing Britain at the very height of its imperial powers. As two worlds collided, Leslie’s exploration will include the key players in Omai’s story, his time in England and English society and his interaction therein.

How did Joshua Reynolds’ ideas regarding his self image relate to his image of Omai and what can this portrait tell us about 18th century English society, its perception or preconception of the Other or non-white European? What was the impact of Omai’s return to the South Seas, and what has been the legacy of the image we call Omai, an enigma in its own right?

Leslie Primo holds a BA in Art History and an MA in Renaissance Studies from the University of London. He has lectured at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, the National Maritime Museum and the Courtauld Institute. He currently lectures at the City Lit Institute, Imperial College, London.