This rich velvet cushion cover depicts an early Pacific landscape.
In 1804, Joseph Dufour created Les Sauvages de la Mer Pacifique, a sophisticated 20-panel scenic wallpaper whose exotic subject matter referenced popular illustrations of the times and mirrored a widespread fascination with Captain Cook and de la Perouse Pacific voyages. It was very fashionable in its time.
Two centuries later Lisa Reihana, New Zealand artist, reanimated this popular wallpaper as a panoramic video spanning a width of 26 metres. Her interpretation of the interaction between the two cultures are somewhat different. She reveals the complexities of cultural identities and colonisation. The work, called in Pursuit of Venus [infected] represented New Zealand at the Venice Biennale 2017.
The cushion is made from a micro-fibre polyester velvet. It is really easy to clean with just a damp cloth or can go in the washing machine on a cold wash. It has a hidden zip opening and measures 450 x 450 mm