Skip to main content

Pacific art

The Gallery's collection of contemporary Pacific art is the broadest in Australia. With the establishment of the Asia Pacific Triennial (APT) in the early 1990s, the Gallery recognised the importance of actively developing the Pacific collection.

The Pacific collection, with an emphasis on New Zealand, reflects the diversity of the region's contemporary art, as well as innovation in customary practices. Primarily composed of works made after 1970, it includes paintings, prints and drawings, sculpture, photography, installation, textiles, weaving, body adornment, video and film.

Artwork The man who cannot speak this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, mica pigment and pencil on Arches Aquarelle paper, created in 1998-01-01

The man who cannot speak 1998
Artwork Weather - 2 this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint, Japanese antique metallic leaf and pencil on Indian handmade watercolour paper, created in 1997-01-01

Weather - 2 1997-98
Artwork Hat this artwork made of Woven raffia over coconut midrib, created in 2003-01-01

Hat 2003
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Ernest Bevin (reproduction) c.1926-33
Artwork Christchurch (Black hood) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 2000-01-01

Christchurch (Black hood) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 2000
Artwork Auckland (Ball) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 1998-01-01

Auckland (Ball) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 1998
Artwork Ocean currents, Australia (from 'Argonauts of the Timor Sea') this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas with maple rods and string, created in 2004-01-01

Ocean currents, Australia (from 'Argonauts of the Timor Sea') 2004
Artwork Weather this artwork made of Ink, synthetic polymer paint, Palladium silver leaf and pencil on Indian handmade watercolour paper, created in 1997-01-01

Weather 1997
Artwork Vase: Flax pod 'Te Rito' this artwork made of Dark green lead crystal pate de verre, lost-wax cast, created in 1996-01-01

Vase: Flax pod 'Te Rito' 1996
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Self portrait with pe'a (back view) 1995, printed 2004
Artwork Ganesha - The provider this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint and metallic pigment on Arches Veritable paper, created in 1984-01-01

Ganesha - The provider 1984
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Noken (bag) c.2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled (two creatures with person on red) 1969
Artwork Aladdin this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint, metallic pigment and pencil on Arches Veritable paper, created in 1986-01-01

Aladdin 1986-87
Artwork Rute migrasi lama (from 'Argonauts of the Timor Sea') this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas with maple rods and string, created in 2004-01-01

Rute migrasi lama (from 'Argonauts of the Timor Sea') 2004
Artwork Angel over Whangape Harbour, Northland, 6 May 1982 this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper on mount board, created in 1982-01-01

Angel over Whangape Harbour, Northland, 6 May 1982 1982, printed 1991
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Self portrait with pe'a (crucified) 1995, printed 2004
Artwork Round mat (unfinished) this artwork made of Woven raffia over coconut midrib, created in 2003-01-01

Round mat (unfinished) 2003
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Lord Oxford (reproduction) c.1926-33
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

G.K. Chesterton (reproduction) c.1926-33
Artwork Rotorua (Fountain) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 1999-01-01

Rotorua (Fountain) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 1999
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Noken (bag) 2005
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Basket 2008
Artwork Basket this artwork made of Coil-woven Kusapa fibre and natural dyes, created in 2008-01-01

Basket 2008
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Self portrait with pe'a (side view) 1995, printed 2004
Artwork Nine o'clock this artwork made of Paper pulp with pigment, created in 1980-01-01

Nine o'clock 1980
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Noken (bag) 2005
Artwork Sydney (Toy) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 1998-01-01

Sydney (Toy) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 1998
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

The ring cycle I (from 'AUS Australien' 1988 portfolio) 1988
Artwork Dead steer this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1987-01-01

Dead steer 1987