Answer :
Final answer:
The European perspective on Captain Cook presents him as an enlightened explorer, while the Polynesian view often sees him as the symbol of colonial invasion and loss. Indigenous artwork and recent research challenge the Eurocentric narrative, emphasizing the complexities of colonial relationships and the expanse and navigational expertise of Polynesia.
Explanation:
The perspectives of Europeans and Polynesians on explorers like Captain Cook differ greatly, reflecting contrasting historical experiences and cultural narratives. While European historical accounts often present Captain Cook as an enlightened explorer and a hero who made first contact with the Polynesian people, from a Polynesian point of view, he symbolizes the beginning of colonial invasion and the subsequent loss of lives, traditions, and autonomy. European explorers, driven by motivations to discover new lands and expand their empires, often failed to recognize the complexity and value of the societies they encountered.
Artworks by modern Indigenous artists, such as the double-sided piece Close Contact by Namatjira and John Pule's painting Kehe tau hauaga foou, reinterpret the colonial narrative by portraying the nuanced and often painful relationships between colonizers and the Indigenous populations. They also capture the contrasting views of historical events from a modern Indigenous perspective. Additionally, the understanding of the vast expanse of Oceania, which covers one-third of the world's surface and includes thousands of islands, challenges traditional Eurocentric worldviews and highlights the advanced naval and navigational skills of Polynesian ancestors documented by researchers like Terry Hunt.
Learn more about Captain Cook here:
https://brainly.com/question/30158351
#SPJ11