Oceanic Art Society

Promoting the understanding and appreciation of Oceanic art.

OAC Journal Research Articles

Beyond bridge and barrier: Torres Strait and curious artefact distributions between Queensland and New Guinea

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By Professor Ian J. McNiven, ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, Monash University, Melbourne During the nineteenth century Europeans became increasingly aware of the extraordinary diversity of indigenous cultures across New Guinea and Australia. Along with such awareness was a desire by museums, especially in England, Europe, and […]

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A Canoe Named Ealamai’iea, or Patience ©

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By John Greenshields of Adelaide, South Australia I took this photo of Joseph Ayodila at the Milne Bay Canoe and Drum Festival on Alotau, Papua New Guinea, in 2014. I told Joseph of my interest in traditional canoes. I said I would like to return to Papua New Guinea one day to study them. Joseph […]

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Mugus – the terrible blind god, the lord of pigs – a unique sculpture from Papua New Guinea

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By Crispin Howarth, Curator, Pacific Arts, National Gallery of Australia Since the mid-1920s, this masterpiece of Oceanic sculpture with its gently twisting elongated torso, oversized hands and stout powerful legs was displayed in a small museum at the Lutheran Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. The museum is a celebration of missionary work by Americans in […]

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor – Part VII

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by Barry Craig.  Continued from OAS OAS Journal Vol.22 No.3. In this issue of the OAS Journal, I provide more details of Harry’s service with the AN&MEF and a sample of his collection in the South Australian Museum (continuing on from previous edition). Harry Lort Spencer Balfour Ogilvy Three malangan figures came from Harry (Fig. […]

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Pacific Presences: Current Research into Oceanic art and European Museums

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By Dr Erna Lilje, Research Associate For some decades, museums have had to reflect upon and re-imagine what they do and for whom.  Museums that hold ethnographic collections have become sites of acute re-appraisal as these collections carry a particular historical freight.   The project “Pacific Presences: Oceanic Art and European Museums” (2013 – 2018) approaches […]

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor – Part VI

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by Barry Craig.  Continued from OAS Journal Vol.21 No.5. In this issue of the OAS Journal, I provide more details of Harry’s service with the AN&MEF and a sample of his collection in the South Australian Museum. Harry Lort Spencer Balfour Ogilvy Harry was appointed as Captain when he enlisted with the AN&MEF and was […]

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A Brief History of the Sepik (continued)

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Although the Sepik District became increasingly important as a source of labour – with a corresponding increase in the activities of labour recruiters in uncontrolled areas – no steps were taken before 1918 to extend government control. In that year two German labour recruiters were killed by villagers inland from Aitape and although the actions […]

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