Oceania: The Shape of Time

This book offers a fresh perspective on Oceania by incorporating new scholarship and Indigenous voices through art. It explores the rich artistic traditions of Oceania, highlighting the connections between Austronesian-speaking peoples and showcasing over 130 magnificent objects. The book emphasizes the ocean's influence on the region and the ongoing connection with spiritual and ancestral realms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Offering a fresh and captivating perspective on Oceania, this groundbreaking book delves into the rich tapestry of artistic expression and innovative aesthetics that define this vast and diverse region. Through the lens of art, the book explores the intricate histories of expression and aesthetic innovation that have shaped Oceania over centuries.

The visual arts of Oceania serve as a vibrant testament to the region's rich cultural heritage, revealing a multitude of dynamic stories about origins, ancestral power, performance, and initiation. This publication takes a unique approach by foregrounding Indigenous perspectives, alongside multidisciplinary research in art history, ethnography, and archaeology, to provide an intimate and comprehensive exploration of Oceania, its art, and its culture.

Stunning new photography showcases over 130 magnificent objects, ranging from intricately carved ancestral figures adorning ceremonial houses to towering slit drums, dazzling turtle-shell masks, and polished whale ivory breastplates. These artifacts, meticulously crafted by Islanders across millennia, serve as a testament to the artistic achievements and ingenuity of this remarkable region.

Oceania: The Shape of Time adopts an art-focused approach to life and culture, guiding readers on a journey through the artistic achievements of Islanders across millennia. The book weaves together a rich tapestry of narratives, cultural insights, and historical context, offering a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the ocean and its islands, as well as the enduring connection with spiritual and ancestral realms.

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with Yale University Press, this comprehensive publication is a testament to the museum's commitment to promoting cultural understanding and appreciation. The book will be on display at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai, the National Museum of Qatar in Doha, and the upcoming reopening of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in Spring 2025.

In conclusion, Oceania: The Shape of Time is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and captivating perspective on Oceania's rich artistic heritage. Through the lens of art, the book explores the intricate histories of expression and aesthetic innovation that have shaped this vast and diverse region, providing a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and spiritual dimensions of Oceania. This publication is a must-read for anyone interested in art, culture, and the world's diverse tapestry of traditions.

Dimension: 267 x 241 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781588397669