oceanic art

Hamilton Building, Level 3

The Oceanic art collection includes an array of art forms from the South Pacific region and is especially strong in art from Melanesia and Polynesia. This collection of more than 1,000 pieces includes important historic monumental sculpture, delicate bark cloth, intricate wood carvings, and the work of contemporary artists such as Mathias Kauage and Laben Sakale.

 

Follow the links below to view selections from the Oceanic art collection. Please note that not all works shown below are currently on view.

 

Malagan fish figure

This was made for use in a Malagan ceremony.

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This is the Ship Belonging to Captain Cook When He Came to Australia, Mathias Kauage

Kauage is a famous artist in Papua New Guinea.

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Yipwon spirit figure

The human figure simplified into hooklike shapes.

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