Oceanic Art Significances

Front 1

Back 1

Formal
1. Carved from mangrove tree-trunk
2. Superimposed figures of dead individuals
3. Tree's buttress roots (extending flangelike) carved into openwork pattern

Hint 1

Cultural
1. Served as pledge to avenge relative's death (re-gain lost mana)
2. Commanded head-hunting mission
3. Let them rot once head was hunted and completed

Front 2

Back 2

Formal
1. Crested hair; representative of male hairstyles; snail opercula for eyes; stretched earlobes
2. Open mouth w/pointed teeth baring
3. Painted w/black, white, yellow red, and green

Hint 2

Cultural
1. Colors used represent war, magic spells, and violence (constant warfare in surrounding area); mask rep. deceased ppl
2. Dancers wore masks during celebrations (not just ornament)
3. Kept for future use (didn't throw away like other cultures)

Front 3

Back 3

Formal
1. Elongated figure in a style called "X-ray" (used 4 both animals + ppl)
2. Simultaneous portrays subject's internal organs + exterior appearance
3. Fluid + dynamic quality; x-ray clearly defined against solid background

Hint 3

Cultural
1. "Dreamings": Ancestral beings whose spirits pervade the present
2. Aboriginal groups "owned" individual designs; Arnhem Land owned x-ray of Auuenau
3. Bark painting good for nomadic lifestyle of Aborigines

Front 4

Back 4

Formal
1. Monumental sculptures; sit atop stone platforms ("ahu"); Huge blocky figures
2. Planar facial features; large eyes, strong jaws, straight noses, articulated nostrils, elongated earlobes
3.Not individ. portraits; generic images/representations of ancestors/

Hint 4

Cultural
1. Production + Placement = testament to importance of honoring ancestors in Polynesian culture
2. "Stolen" Moai presented to Q. Victoria; some deteriorated on the way; Ones that made it will last longer than ever before--Morality in question
3. According to ppl of island: Mana was taken from them and given to undeserving Brits.

Front 5

Back 5

Formal
1. Hollow, cylindrical bone/ivory ornaments; holes on the side.
2. Large rounded eyes, wide mouths, flat nose.
3. Long pointed fingers, appear aggressive and vicious

Hint 5

Cultural
1. Carved in tiki form; divine ancestor figure--common belief: honor ancestors & mana will come
2. Worn in warriors hair; served as protective amulets
3. Taken out once death of kinsmen was avenged.

Front 6

Back 6

Formal
1. Man standing with decorated water gourd in L.hand and wooden club w/carved human head as the top in R.hand
2. Covered in tats; sub-divide body parts into zones: Accentuate joins, separate muscle masses into horiz + vert geometric shapes.
3. Face, hands, and feet covered

Hint 6

Cultural
1. Tattoos served to enhance one's status; in warriors case, more tattoos= fights a lot.."spiritual body armor"
2. Moko: distinctive facial tattoo pattern which told story of persons family, tribe, status, profession..etc from both sides of family
3. Completing procedure without twitching gives you +mana; must be done by tattoo master with a lot of mana

Front 7

Back 7

Formal
1. Red and yellow feathers woven together
2. Dense fiber base and feather matting makes cloak heavy/protective
3. Precious materials indicate status and connect to gods.

Hint 7

Cultural
1. Colors rep. Hawaiian royalty
2. Feathers from birds are precious and hard to amass large quantities of.
3. Linked owner/wearer to the gods (protection and extravagance)

Front 8

Back 8

Formal
1. 2ft. wood carving tiki style; head=1/3 of body; ferocious expression
2. Enlarged, angled eyes; wide-open, fig.8 mouth w/rows of teeth: aggression +defiance
3. Full faceted arms, legs, and pecs; looks ready to act.

Hint 8

Cultural
1. Warfare was epidemic in HI at the time; needed protection of Islands resources (danger=other clans, ppls..etc.)
2. Shows the artistic theme of athleticism and defiance in expression
3. HI god of war