The Peoples inhabiting
the vast regions bounded by the Islands of Hawaii
to the North, New Zealand and the Solomon's of
the South, Easter Island to the East and the Carolina
Islands of the West comprises an almost unimaginable
area in time and space. The Art Forms produced
in this vast area are as diverse as the topographical
variety, and immense distances between islands.
Early People having migrated
out in successive waves from Southeast Asia many
millennia in the past produced Art which reflects,
more than any other tribal area of the world ,an
understanding of the all pervading power of the
natural world- a force, which must be accommodated
rather than modified.
The Oceans provided an
abundance of food and raw materials enabling the
various groups venturing out across wide expanses
to colonize distant islands. Once settled these
hardy people who brought with them a rich mythology
and resilient cultural structure were able to
adapt their experiences into their manufacture
of objects for everyday use as well as for ritual
practices.
Canoes, Canoe bailers,
knives, spears, bowls of every imaginable size
and shape were made with the idea of form follows
function in their designs. Richly embellished
surfaces of inlaid ivory, shell and paint were
employed on Shields, Masks and Weapons etc. to
show rank or impress or confuse an opponent. Carvings
of Ancestral Figures or Mythical Gods stood guard
at ceremonies perpetuating and strengthening the
group's religious functions.
Garments produced were
of pounded bark known as Kapa or intricately woven
fibers from many varieties of trees and plants
found through-out the Islands.
A rich tradition
of work in stone greatly enhanced their ability
to not just survive but to fashion the tools to
manufacture exquisite Art works that still exist
in Museums private collections and some in situ
through-out the Pacific. |
