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Oceanic art refers to the creative works made by the native peoples of the Pacific Islands and Australia, including areas as far apart as Hawaii and Easter Island. Specifically it refers to the works of the two groups of people that settled the area, though during two different periods.
They would in time however, come to interact and together reach even more remote islands. The area is often broken down into four separate regions: Polynesia, Micronesia, Australia, and Melanesia. The former two share a common ancestral culture of the Lapita, while the latter two comprise settlers of the first wave of people into the area.
All of the regions in later times would be greatly affected by Western influence and colonization. In more recent times, the people of Oceania have found a greater appreciation of their region's artistic heritage. The artistic creations of these people varies greatly throughout the cultures and regions.
ART of OCEANIA The subject matter typically carries themes of fertility or the supernatural. Art such as masks were used in religious ceremonies or social rituals. Tattooing, painting, wood carving, stone carving and textile work are other common art forms.
ART of John Pule Born in Niue, a small nation in the Pacific, John Pule moved with his family to Auckland, New Zealand at the age of two.
ART of John Pule Mythology and history are of specific interest to John as he weaves fish, people and birdlike creatures into a very personal response to the colonisation of the Pacific.
ART of John Pule While his work is Pacific in subject and style he collects ideas and motifs voraciously and incorporates all into a rich network of interlacing imagery that, through its intimacy, touches on a more universal humanity.