London: Captain Cook fades into the background, replaced by bold Indigenous colours in a new work displayed at London's Tate Modern, part of a program to bring Australian art into the international limelight.
On Tuesday, the Tate unveiled Gordon Bennett's Possession Island, a provocative 1991 work that takes a 19th century etching of Cook's claiming Australia for Britain, and plants a proud abstract indigenous flag on it.
It is a significant moment at a gallery that, though it has a small collection of Australian art, has seen Australia as a major absence from its collection.
The artist's widow, Leanne Bennett, said he would have been thrilled and humbled to see his work at the heart of Britain's capital.
"If he was still here he wouldn't be here," she said at a champagne reception on Tuesday night at the Tate, on the banks of the Thames.
"He'd probably be in the park, watching and listening."
The work told a story of the "erasure of aboriginal culture", she said.
"He's watching. He's here."
The painting is one of ten artworks jointly acquired by Tate and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.
Qantas donated $2.75 million to enable both museums to expand their collections and share ownership of the works.
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce said it was an opportunity to build awareness and understanding of Australian art, and the choice of work signalled the depth and breadth of Australia's culture.
"It has some poignant social messages as well," he said.
Tate Modern's director Frances Morris said the new works were a "powerful contribution" and she looked forward to showcasing more Australian acquisitions.
The Tate's collection already includes work by Australian artists including Sidney Nolan, Brett Whiteley, Arthur Boyd, Ron Mueck and Tracey Moffatt.
Another Australian work - Susan Norrie's Transit 2011, also went on display at the Tate this week, as part of the same five-year program of acquisitions.
The Sydney artist's work depicts the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and the Fukushima meltdown.
