Oceanic Art
Nicholas Thomas
Thomas covers Oceanic art from prehistory to modern times by presenting illustrations of many artifacts used ceremonially and in everyday life. He explains the symbolism and recounts many of the myths depicted on the bark-cloth, buildings, mats and shields which are characteristic of the differing regions. “Looking beyond surfaces also means looking into the contexts… A carving that has human characteristics is not necessarily a ‘representation’ of a human being or an ancestor. It may be better understood as an embodiment of that ancestor, as one expression of that ancestor, or it may be a physical container that an ancestor or spirit can be induced to inhabit at certain times.” Includes 182 illustrations, 26 in color. TR
Publisher: Thames and Hudson
Paperback: 216 pages
Illustrated