The Pacific

QUICK HISTORY

700-1980
Some of the oldest inhabited areas on Earth (The Aboriginals reached Australia 30,000-50,000 years ago)
Some places only inhabited up to 1000 years ago (remote islands of the Pacific, Easter Island, New Zealand)
We know about the culture of these areas because of explorations in the 18th century

Organization of 25,000 islands into micro (small), poly(many), mela (black), nesia (islands)
Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia

Strong gender roles for creating art: Men = wood carving, women = tapa cloths
Wood is the primary material: they have perfected woodcarving
The use of natural materials such as fibers (plant materials), pigments, bones, sea ivory and shell, tortoise shell, wood, coral, and stone are very important to the meaning and symbolism of the artworks
Intricate lines and details
Art of Easter Island is unusual in Oceanic art
Heavily influenced by the sea (point of isolation and connecting through travel and trade).
Art is in the form of performances, chants, dances, or rituals. Objects of dress/costumes or masks are used as props or disguises in religious rituals. They are not produced for aesthetic reasons.
Sculptures representing life forces in the supernatural world are often wrapped (usually in tapa). The life force is referred to as mana. Mana is protected and defended by the act of wrapping called tapu.
"Artworks" are displayed in the men's communal house

Nan Madol

Moai on Platform

Ahu 'Ula (Feather Cape)

Staff God

detailed look at Staff God

Female Deity

Buk (mask)

Hiapo (tapa)

Malagan Display and Mask

Navigation Chart

Malagan Mask

Malagan Display of Masks

Presentation of Figian Mats and Tapa Clothes to Queen Elizabeth II