The aim of the Oceanic Art Society is to further the understanding and appreciation of Oceanic art. The focus is on the traditional and contemporary art of the indigenous peoples of Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia and Australasia. We hold regular presentations and seminars, and an annual Forum; we publish a quarterly Journal and send free newsletters to interested subscribers, worldwide.
OAS Journal Stories.
The latest stories, reviews and more from the Oceanic Art Society Journal – published quarterly.
Melanesian Lullaby
The Pacific Cultures Gallery enters hibernation as collections receive conservation care, while the South Australian Museum collaborates with Pasifika communities to reimagine its future displays.
Mutuaga and the Kwato Mission
Mutuaga, a master carver from Papua New Guinea, gained recognition through the Kwato Mission and established trade routes, fostering the promotion of his art and cultural identity.
Plumes from Paradise
The “Plumes from Paradise” exhibition at Musée Quai Branly explores the cultural significance of birds of paradise in Papua New Guinea and their influence on Western art, history, and fashion.
Ernst Heinrich: An Extraordinary Collector
The book “Ernst Heinrich: An Extraordinary Collector” chronicles the life and legacy of Ernst Heinrich, highlighting his significant contributions to collecting Oceanic art in 20th-century Europe.
Multiverse: Brian Robinson
The Newcastle Art Gallery showcases Brian Robinson’s “Multiverse,” a major exhibition featuring his linocut prints, sculptures, and digital animation, celebrating Torres Strait Islander culture and creativity.
OAS Sponsorship Program
The OAS welcomes sponsorship from individuals and organisations who share our commitment to furthering the appreciation and understanding of Oceanic art.
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Spirits in the Ink
Exhibition | 6 June – 12 September 2026
Mulgrave Building, Cairns Art Gallery
This exhibition showcases the extensive archive of Djumbunji Press Kick Arts Fine Art Printmaking, a hub for printmaking by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Far North Queensland, that was active from 2009 to 2014. Shown alongside selected works from the Cairns Art Gallery Collection and selected loans, the works in this exhibition showcase the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in the region, expressing their strong and vast cultural connection to Country.
Spirits in the Ink was first exhibited at Caboolture Regional Art Gallery in 2024, and then at Redcliffe Art Gallery in 2025 and tells the compelling story of First Nations printmaking in Far North Queensland.
From emerging artists through to leading practitioners, the artists represented in this exhibition explore traditional and contemporary visual elements in a variety of techniques and styles, expressing their unique stories through the medium of print.
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OAS Calling for Donations
A special message from our President
The 2026 OAS Forum at Burrinja Cultural Centre on 14 November is one of the major events held by the OAS this year. It is an important event, not only to celebrate Torres Strait Islander art and culture, but also to raise funds to allow the OAS to continue to operate and publish our wonderful Journal in print.
A key way of raising money is through our raffle and art auction held at the Forum Dinner. Please consider donating an item for the raffle or auction.
We are pleased to acknowledge your generosity on the night, if you wish, and any artefacts or suitable objects will be gratefully accepted. Please send images and details of your proposed donation to [email protected].
Thanking you in advance!
Jim Elmslie
President Oceanic Art Society
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Oceanic Art Speaks – Robert J Foster
Live Talk | 15 September 8pm (East Coast USA) / 16 September 2026 10am (East Coast Australia)
Online
Register to hear Robert J Foster, Professor at the University of Rochester and Western Sydney University present his latest research on Reimagining Provenance Research: Following « Primitive Art » from New Guinea to US Department Stores.
This presentation responds to recent calls in art history and museum studies to broaden the concept of provenance (e.g., Higonett 2012 ; Jones and Forbes 2025). It outlines three phases of provenance research, the last of which moves in the direction of anthropological accounts of « the social life of things » (Appadurai 1986).
It identifies the challenges and opportunities of this development through a case study of the sale of « primitive art from New Guinea » in US department stores during the 1960s. These exhibition sales, organized by St. Louis art collector Morton D. May and facilitated by prominent New York dealer Julius Carlebach, offered middle-class American shoppers an opportunity to acquire original objects of art at affordable prices. These sales also stimulated the growth of a post-WW2 art market in New Guinea, especially in economically marginal areas.
The case study focuses on the social life of one carving that travelled from the Sepik region to its current resting place at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
This presentation will not be recorded so don’t miss the live talk.
events.humanitix.com/oceanic-art-speaks-robert-j-foster
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Oceanic Art Society Forum XIV
Forum | Saturday 14 November 2026
Burrinja, Victoria, Australia
We are pleased to announce that Art and Material Culture of the Torres Strait Islands is the theme of the Oceanic Art Society’s Fourteenth Forum to be held at the Burrinja Cultural Centre on the outskirts of Melbourne on Saturday 14 November in conjunction with the opening of Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai (northsite.org.au/exhibitions/billy-missi-wakain-thamai).
Hear from world leading scholars, curators and artists present on many aspects of the artistic practices past and present of the people in Zenadth Kes Torres Strait. All the details are available on our website (www.oceanicartsociety.org.au/event/oas-forum-xiv).
Book your tickets for our 2026 Forum to be held at Burrinja in Victoria, Australia Saturday 14 November 2026 which will be followed by a Forum dinner at the Holiday Inn Bistro in Dandenong. You can book your ticket for the Forum directly from the Burrinja Cultural Centre website (www.burrinja.org.au/whats-on/14th-oceanic-art-society-forum-2026). If you are in Melbourne, drop in to see Lesley Wengembo’s landscape exhibition.
Oceanic Art Society Forum Dinner
Saturday 14 November 2026
7:00 – 10:00 pm, Holiday Inn Bistro, Dandenong, Victoria.
Come along after the Forum and enjoy convivial conversation and share stories from the day over a two course meal (entree and main) after a free drink and nibbles on arrival.
The dinner will also feature an auction of Oceanic Art objects.
You can book your dinner on our website (events.humanitix.com/oceanic-art-society-forum-dinner).
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Videos
See the latest videos form the Oceanic Art Society, including lectures, special events and more.
Lani Auvita Scott – OAS Forum 2025
The Living Thread: Cultural Continuity for the Next Generation https://youtu.be/fURJ168gzUs . . . This content is restricted to subscribers only. For access, become an Oceanic Art Society member or login …
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The aim of the Oceanic Art Society is to further the understanding and appreciation of Oceanic art. The focus is on traditional tribal art including contemporary art of the indigenous people of Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia and Australasia. Provide your support and become a member for accessing to premium content, event discounts and other benefits.