Oceania

Oceania

The cultures of the South Pacific, ever a challenge to the imagination, are explored here through 200 objects. Oceania is made up of countless islands in the Pacific Ocean, which are distributed over three regions: Melanesia, 'the black islands'; Polynesia, 'the many islands', and Micronesia, 'the small islands'. For centuries artists in Oceania created ritual objects and symbols of authority that gave an identity to the many peoples who lived in these regions. The works of art provide a clear and attractive picture of the various cultures of Oceania. The art of Melanesia is characterized by an inventive language of forms; it is inspired by a mythological world where humans and animals blend into one another. The art of Polynesia is produced for the ruling class, which is believed to be descended directly from the gods. Micronesian art is distinguished by its refinement and simplicity of form. Using the scarce materials available to them, peoples of this region created utensils and jewelery that were handed down from generation to generation as valuable property.

Artworks have been selected on the basis of their aesthetic qualities and the richness of their materials and colours. The works convey complex meanings related to rituals, beliefs, myths and prestige. The objects in the exhibition have been carefully selected from among the most prestigious collections of France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.