Art and Life in Melanesia

What represents Melanesian art today? Is there modern Melanesian art? Who are the artists? What are the subjects of their art? Art and Life in Melanesia is timely in its exploration of Melanesian artists and their voices, providing an important juncture for many in the region and beyond to take stock of what is happening in Melanesian art.The thirteen chapters are linked essays premised around major cultural themes including Kastom, Christianity, Indigenisation and Globalisation, Markets, Festivals, Diasporas, Urban Culture and Politics.

Each theme focuses on ideas, issues and some specific arts practices, drawing examples from a few localities.

Not every country is addressed under each theme, an approach that provides the reader with substantive country-specific information.

Research for this book was supported by the University of Queensland.