‘Tracing Mai’, 2026

Tracing Mai is a response to Joshua Reynolds’ portrait of Mai (c.1776), developed through the National Portrait Gallery’s Journeys with Mai project. Drawing on archival research, other depictions of Mai and conversations with Pacific communities, the work reimagines portraiture through gesture, material and colour rather than likeness, exploring how a person’s presence, memory and spirit can continue to be felt through an artwork.

Acrylic Paint, muslin, black ink, natural dye, thread, charcoal.

80cm x 60cm x 5cm