The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM) will feature rotating exhibits that will explore a multitude of themes across the Pacific Island regions: Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
Current Exhibition
The exhibit honors the traditional living roots of Pacific Island artistic expression as seen through faces not exclusive to the human face. These faces take on many fluid art forms from evolving spoken words, face paintings, carvings, textiles and surfaces. Community participants and the art on display are from the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Papau New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.
Some of the featured art includes a Moku-kanohi by artist Warren McGrath from Aotearoa (New Zealand), carved in Tootara salvaged from native bush on the North Island of New Zealand (the tree was over 800 years when it fell in the 1960s), and an 11-foot-long Tongan Ngatu (Tapa) cloth. A ceremonial Native American soapstone bowl is displayed in the spirit of honoring the elders and native people of the United States mainland. The exhibit’s audio tour includes interviews, conversations, spoken words and a chant from the participants.
We are also offering patrons an opportunity to paint their face.
Future Exhibition
As per all membership benefits, all members will receive advance notice of upcoming exhibitions, openings and special VIP events.
Past Exhibitions
A multidimensional exhibit, where people are the art. What defines someone as an artist? It is a mother who is the universal symbol of creation. It is a dancer who keeps native traditions alive through the music and the performance. It is a healer whose rare approach to medicine is an art form. “Walk In” challenges you to see the living arts in everyday life.
In partnership with the Samoan Achievers International, PIEAM was pleased to be a part of the Samoan Cultural Art & Artifacts Exhibit at the 2010 SAI Awards Gala on May 7, 2010. Designed by PIEAM staff and volunteers, this first-of-its-kind display showcased the historical artifacts collection of Falana'i and Lisa Ala as well as the work of some of Samoa's finest contemporary artists. For more on SAI, visit www.saiawards.com.