The book is arranged in six parts: Art in Early Oceania; New Guinea 1700-1940; Island Melanesia 1700-1940; Eastern and Northern Oceania 1700-1940; Art, War and the End of Empire 1940-89; Art in Oceania Now 1989-2012.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The arts of Oceania are astonishing: great statues, daunting tattoos, dynamic carving, dazzling woven and painted fabrics, intricately carved weapons, and a bewildering variety of ornaments, ritual objects, and utilitarian but beautiful things. This landmark book breaks new ground by setting the art of Oceania in its full historical context and capturing an up-to-date understanding of the field. From archaeological findings of prehistoric art to the impact of pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial historical processes, it explores influences such as migration, trade, missionaries, pacification, tourism, nationalism and contemporary market factors, offering abundant new interpretations and addressing significant gaps in other publications. Factors that have been largely neglected until now, including the role of museums, the significance of colonial photography, indigenous modernisms and contemporary Pacific art, are covered alongside the familiar canon. This beautifully illustrated volume will appeal to general readers interested in world art, collectors, university students, scholars and museum professionals in the field.