Sea of Islands brings together knowledge holders, scholars, and artists from across the Pacific with Western scholars working with Pacific collections—as well as members of diasporic Oceanic communities—to share the stories and journeys of the objects that comprise Canada’s largest Oceanic collection, housed at MOA.

Presented alongside more than 250 photographs of individual objects contextualized by historic and contemporary images from Oceanic communities, Carol E. Mayer’s text draws on her decades of research and outreach centred around the complex intersections between museum collections, contemporary art practices, and different knowledge systems. The result is a lively and accessible exploration of how these objects—old and new—continue to articulate systems of meaning and engender new relationships.

Join us for an evening of connection, stories, and celebration.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the MOA Shop, which will be open before and during the event. Carol E. Mayer will be signing books on the night, so we encourage you to grab a copy in advance or upon arrival.

Free event. RSVP to mitiana.arbon@ubc.ca by Tuesday May 27.

Bio

Carol E. Mayer is the Research Fellow—Pacific at the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology. Internationally known for her work as a museum curator, she has published widely on museum-related topics, curated more than forty exhibitions, and received fellowships from the Smithsonian Institution and the Sainsbury Research Unit and numerous awards including from the Canadian Museums Association, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Canada, and the British Columbia Museums Association. She has also received a medal from the Republic of Vanuatu for her cultural contributions, and the Manu Daula Award from the Pacific Arts Association for her outstanding achievement and dedication in the arts of the Pacific.