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MUSEUM OF

PACIFIC ARTS

M U S E U M G U I D E

Exhibition Guide inside

MUSEUM OF

PACIFIC ARTS

OLD CONTEMPORARY

Museum of Pacific Arts

Old and Contemporary

Celebration

Museum of Pacific Art is more than just a museum.It is a cultural complex and a destination for everyone, from young to old, to come, play and learn. As in a traditional Pacific Island society we believe that art should be accessible and for everyone to enjoy. No knowledge is required to enjoy art at our museum - we want you to explore!

Museum of Pacific Art celebrates the past and the present of Pacific Art and culture. The Museum consists of two buildings: Old Art Museum and Contemporary Art Museum.

In order to understand Old Art, forget about who you are and where you’re from. Go on a physical and spiritual journey to the Old Art Museum and discover a mythical world of old Pacific Art.

At the Contemporary Art Museum, learn about the ever changing world of Pacific culture and art. Every four months, a collective of artists from the Pacific are given the chance to curate art in the “Artist Territory”. Discover music, dance, art, craft! You’re also encouraged to talk to the artist!

Each exhibition rotates every four months so make sure you visit often.

The buildings are connected by an open space which is socially the most vital area of the museum. This space acts as a stage for music, dance, performance and festivals which can be viewed comfortably from the steps. Ever wished that you were in Fiji looking at the traditional dances and people throwing fire? Check the festival time and come join us and watch.

What is Pacific Art? 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.

The area is often broken down into four separate regions: Polynesia, Micronesia, Australia, and Melanesia. The former two share the 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 vary greatly throughout the cultures and regions. The subject matter typically carries themes of fertility or the supernatural. Art such as masks were used in religious ceremonies or social rituals. Petroglyphs, Tattooing, painting, wood carving, stone carving and textile work are other common art forms.

How to get here

Cockatoo Island and Circular Quay are accessible via the Sydney Ferries Woolwich/Balmain and the Parramatta River services.

Once you arrive at Parramatta Wharf, Cockatoo island, Museum of Pacific Arts will be to immediately visible to the left.

9.52 am Parramatta River10.10 am Woolwich/Balmain10.52 am Parramatta River11.10 am Woolwich/Balmain11.52 am Parramatta River12.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain12.52 pm Parramatta River1.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain1.52 pm Parramatta River2.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain3.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain4.00 pm Woolwich/Balmain

MON - FRI MON - FRIWEEKEND/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

WEEKEND/ PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Circular Quay toPARRAMATTA WHARF, Cockatoo Island

PARRAMATTA WHARF, Cockatoo Islandto Circular Quay

9.52 am Parramatta River10.10 am Woolwich/Balmain11.10 am Woolwich/Balmain12.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain1.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain2.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain3.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain4.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain

9.52 am Parramatta River10.10 am Woolwich/Balmain11.10 am Woolwich/Balmain12.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain1.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain2.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain3.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain4.10 pm Woolwich/Balmain

10.44 am Woolwich/Balmain11.44 am Woolwich/Balmain12.44 am Woolwich/Balmain1.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain2.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain2.45 pm Parramatta River3.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain3.45 pm Parramatta River4.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain5.05 pm Parramatta River5.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain6.05 pm Parramatta River6.44 pm Woolwich/Balmain

Circular Quay

Cockatoo Island

MUSEUM OF

PACIFIC ARTS

Parramatta Wharf

At the Contemporary Art Museum, learn about the ever changing world of Pacific culture and art. Every four months, a collective of artists from the Pacific are given the chance to curate art in the “Artist Territory”. Discover music, dance, art, craft! You’re also encouraged to talk to the artist!

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm

Contemporary Art

ARTIST TERRITORY

INTERNAL GARDEN

ENTRY / EX

ENTRY / EXIT

ARTIST TERRITORY

Every four months, we give a different artist the chance to take control of the Artist Territory. Once you’ve entered, you must follow the Artist’ rules! Whether it be that you must draw on the ground, or greet a statue, we guarantee that you will have fun learning about Contemporary Pacific Art from the Pacific Islander’s perspective.

Please note, the “rules” are for entertainment and

educational purpose only.

Y / EXIT

Cafe and LibraryINTERNAL GARDENS

Level 2

Learning Centre / Meeting Room 2 / Toilet

Level 1

Library / Cafe / Meeting Room 1 / Toilet

GroundArtist Territory Internal GardensInformation desk Archives (No public Access)

Grab a book from the library and treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee at the café. Watch the world from above.

Our museum provides a space for outdoor artworks to be exhibited. Feel free to go in and relax.

Contemporary Art

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm

In order to understand Old Art, forget that you’re in Sydney or even in the Museum of Pacific Art! Take yourself on an unforgettable physical and spiritual journey to the Old Art Museum and discover the mythical world of old Pacific Art.

Old Art

Glass Tube underwater

The Museum of Pacific Art has collected art from Australia’s Pacific neighbours since the beginning of 2012 in order to display historical traditional objects from the Pacific as art rather than artefact.

All other artworks were donated by galleries who wished to place the invaluable artworks in a permanent space.

Old Art

Glass Elevator

PERMANENT EXHIBITION

1 Art and Religion 2 Art and Tradition 3 Art and War 4 Art and Celebrations

Average Time: 1 hour

Once you’ve arrived at the top, follow the ramp until you reach the finish sign and wait for elevator to go back down.

Eventail (Samoa) Hunting Spear (Vanuatu) Tapa (Samoa)Tribal Statue (Papua New Guinea)

Celebrate

The Museum of Pacific Art aims to unite the Pacific people and locals in order to enhance both their respect for and appreciation of one another withinthe context of the changing Pacific.

The buildings are connected by an open space which is socially the most vital area of the museum. This space acts as a stage for music, dance, performance and festivals which can be viewed comfortably from the steps. Even wished that you were in Fiji watching traditional dances or ancient fire-throwing ceremonies? Check the festival time and come join us and watch.

The venue has been specially designed to accomodate everyone including disabled people, children and elderly people.

Super Disable Friendly Seating Area

STAIRS / SEATSCELEBRATION SQUARE

Express Stairs

Gift Shop

Information Desk

Ramp (disabled access)

Don’t miss the lightshow happening every night at 6pm. Watch the dazzling patterns from Pacific Art project onto the Museum.

Experience the rich and diverse culture of Pacific Islands. From traditional dance, to singing, join us and celebrate!

See current Exhibition guide for more details.

Take a photo from the top of the stairs and look at the interactive LED lit map of Pacific Islands.

Celebrate!

Light show everynight!

Special Event

Lookout /Pacific Islands Map

Permanence

We believe that we have the power to preserve art and culture by creating interest in it amongst the people. We have the designed the museum so that visitors can have an enjoyable time and a memorable experience. Our aim is to make art accessible and educational, in both its historical and contemporary contexts. We hope that people will take a greater interest in Pacific Art.

CELEBRATION

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Information

Exhibitions for 2013

NOV 2012- FEB 2013

MAR 2013 - JUN 2013

JUL 2013 - OCT 2013

NOV 2013 - FEB 2013

NGATUS(Tongan Tapas)

REVIVAL OF KASTOMSSOLOMON ISLANDS

ART, CULTUREVANUATU

FINDING IDENTITIESTAHITI (France)

Museum of Pacific Art would like to thank the companies who made this possible

Andrew Kim architectsStromberg architectsUniversity of Sydney

Next to Parramatta Wharf,Cockatoo IslandT 61 2 9245 2400F 61 2 9252 4361www.museumofpacificarts.com.au

Contemporary Art MuseumFREE ENTRYMon - Sun 10am - 5pm

Old Art MuseumAdult $5 Concession $3Mon - Sun 10am - 5pm

Cockatoo island is open all year round.

MUSEUM OF

PACIFIC ARTS

MUSEUM OF

PACIFIC ARTS