Island Ancestors

"Most of the art of Oceania is religious in nature, made in response to the belief that the universe is governed by invisible forces that can determine and influence the events of life. Wardwell discusses the mystical relationship between the island peoples and the elements of their environment. Melanesia, for example, offers swampy, flood-prone river lowlands with faunas that include malarial mosquitoes and crocodiles; thick interior rain forests; cool, mountainous highlands; and areas of intense vulcanism - all of which contribute to a belief in the unpredictability and pervasive power of nature. Artists rely on a large variety of materials from their immediate environment to make sculptures, architectural decorations, masks, costumes, implements, and drums and other musical instruments for the rituals and ceremonies of their particular belief system." "Island Ancestors includes 144 color illustrations of the most stunning objects from the Masco Oceanic Collection, one of the great corporate collections in America. It introduces the general public to the dramatic, complex, often breathtaking art of this part of the world and serves as a basic reference to the subject. The author's detailed discussion of each object will be useful to art historians, anthropologists, and other area specialists."--BOOK JACKET.