Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO of the Australian Museum,
invites you to a media preview of Wansolmoana
in the new permanent Pasifika Gallery
Exploring themes of Deep connections, Identity, Disruption and Climate Change
Wansolmoana has been made possible by a generous gift from The Macdoch Foundation
Wansolmoana – meaning One Salt Ocean – is the new home for the AM’s Pasifika collection, one of the largest and most significant in the world. Wansolmoana features 143 objects from 25 Pacific nations and territories including newly-commissioned objects by prominent Pacific Island artists and knowledge holders, musical instruments, canoe models, tattooing implements as well as multimedia and video works.
When: Thursday 12 October, 2023
Time: 9 - 9.30am:Morning Tea; 9.30am - 10.30am; Blessing, Opening, Photos, Interviews
Where: Pasifika Gallery, Lvl 2, Australian Museum, cnr of William St and College St, Sydney
Interview opportunities:
- Kim McMay AO, Director and CEO, Australian Museum
- Melissa Malu, Exhibition Curator and Manager, Pasifika Collections, Australian Museum
- Alasdair MacLeod, Chairman, and Michelle Gortan, CEO, Macdoch Foundation
- Pasifika Knowledge Holders and artists including: Climate Change - Moemoeana Schwenke,
- Banaba/Kiribati – Katereina Teiwa, Hiku’leo, Tongan content/Curatorium involvement– Sisiuno Helu
- PNG content – Dr Michael Mel, Vanuatu content – Lilon Bongmatur
Footage and photo opportunities:
- Pasifika cultural dance performance
- The Tokelauan canoe used in the 2014 climate change protests in Newcastle
- A rare Suru head-dress and a Fijian warlord’s ceremonial costume
Key Facts:
The Australian Museum has one of the largest and most significant Pacific cultural collections in the world, and now, for the first time in decades, this extraordinary collection featuring the stories and artefacts of some 25 Pacific nations and territories with collections from 54 Pacific communities will go on permanent display.
Contact details:
Claire Vince: claire.vince@australian.museum, 0468 726 910
Imogen Corlette: imogen.corlette@australian.museum. 0410 520 776