The Pacific Arts of Polynesia and Micronesia

Author: Kaeppler, Adrienne L. (Curator of Oceanic Ethnology, Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.)

Australasia, Oceania & other land areas

Published on 27 March 2008 by OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Oxford History of Art' series.

Paperback / softback | 216 pages, 125 illustrations, 100 in full colour
239 x 168 x 13 | 524g

The Pacific Ocean covers one-third of the earth's surface. Comprising thousands of islands and hundreds of cultural groups, Polynesia and Micronesia cover a large part of this vast ocean, from the dramatic mountains of Hawaii to the small, flat coral islands of Kiribati. Including both traditional and contemporary arts, this book introduces the rich artistic traditions of these two regions, traditions that have had a considerable impact on western art in the twentieth century through the influence of artists such as Gauguin. Instead of looking at Polynesia and Micronesia separately, the book focuses on the artistic types, styles, and concepts that they share, placing each in its wider cultural context. From the textiles of Tonga to the canoes of Tahiti, Adrienne Kaeppler looks at religious and sacred rituals and objects, carving, architecture, tattooing, personal ornaments, basket-making, clothing, textiles, fashion, the oral arts, dance, music and musical instruments - even canoe-construction - to provide the ultimate introduction to the rich and vibrant artistic cultures of the Polynesian and Micronesian islands.