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Between Worlds: Voyagers to Britain 1700-1850

8 March - 17 June 2007
Porter Gallery
Admission free

Supported by the Government of Canada

Tee Yee Neen Ho Ga Row, Emperor of the Six Nations
by John Verelst, oil on canvas, 1710
© Library and Archives Canada, Acc.No. 1977-35-4. Acquired with a special grant from the Canadian Government 1977

From the seventeenth century, largely as a result of British colonial expansion, non-European visitors to England caused widespread frissons of excitement, interest and curiosity in social circles across the capital. This fascinating exhibition of contemporary cultural resonance as well as art-historical importance focuses on the complexities and ambiguities of encounters between these visitors and their British contemporaries over 150 years.  

These visitors from former British colonies, including North America, the South Pacific, India and Africa; their reasons for coming and their reception in Britain were as diverse as their backgrounds. Their stories and the impact they had on British society are examined here for the first time. The exhibition brings to life the fascinating experiences of a small group of 14 individuals, including the 'Four Indian Kings' of Canada, Mai of the South Pacific, Raja Rammohun Roy of India and Sara Baartman from Africa.

The exhibition is curated by Professor Jos Hackforth-Jones, Professor of Art History and Provost at Richmond The American International University in London, with Professor David Bindman, formerly Durning-Lawrence Professor of Art, University College, London, Dr Stephanie Pratt, Principal Lecturer in Art History at University of Plymouth, UK and Dr Romita Ray, Assistant Professor of Art History at Syracuse University, USA.

A fully illustrated catalogue including a foreword by Ekow Eshun (Artistic Director, ICA) accompanies the exhibition. Published by the National Portrait Gallery, £15 paperback.