Oceanic art and objects have travelled the world from the “Blue Continent”. Along the way they have been traded and stories about them have embellished their reputations and attracted new audiences.
They have also maximised the curiosity value of the figure. Barry Craig’s sleuthing has uncovered the truth and the embellishment surrounding a carving which is currently on display in the Pacific Cultures Gallery of the South Australian Museum – make sure that you see this figure when you are in Adelaide for the upcoming 2022 OAS Forum.
This curiosity about the culture and objects from the Pacific can be seen throughout the various reports from the recent autumn season in the northern hemisphere. Pierre Laffont has written, accompanied by Bill Rathmell’s photographs, about the abiding interest in the Pacific to be found in the collections and curation decisions in the museums of Rochefort and La Rochelle on the French Atlantic coast.
This same curiosity drove the founding editor of the Newsletter that preceded the OAS publishing this current Journal. Former Journal editor Jim Elmslie has captured this in his obituary and homage to his predecessor, David Said.
Krisztina Turza has provided a fascinating report from the Pacific Arts Association 2022 Conference held in Paris adjacent to Parcours des Mondes. So many discoveries presented from so much research happening around the globe. In addition, Pierre Laffont provides a stand alone report on Māori artist George Nuku.
In Jim Elmslie’s review of Magic Masks and Figures from Oceania by Leif Holmstedt, the fascination that the Pacific held for Danish adventurers is exposed.
Today’s Oceanic artists continue to revisit their culture to ensure that stories and information aren\’t lost for coming generations. One such artist, respected Zenadth Kes artist Segar Passi, is the subject of a comprehensive retrospective currently on show in Cairns. Well worth visiting.
Margaret Cassidy
Image: Segar Passi, Mam Edge, 2012, synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Cairns Art Gallery Collection. For more details, see Segar Passi, meriba ged a gur (our land and sea)
