In the islands of the Pacific, cloth made from the inner bark of trees is a distinctive art tradition, most likely brought to the region at least 5,000 years ago by some of the first human settlers. This exhibition is dedicated to clothing and adornment made from barkcloth, showing a selection of garments, headdresses, masks and body ornaments. Spanning the region from New Guinea in the west to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the east, barkcloth is made in a myriad of styles and designs, reflecting the particular histories of each island group and the creativity of the makers.
This is the British Museum’s first exhibition focussing on barkcloth. It exhibits seventy-seven objects from the museum’s extensive Oceania collection of almost nine hundred items. Barkcloth must be carefully prepared for display, and many hours of conservation using the British Museum’s new World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre have been invested in the pieces exhibited. The exhibition includes works from the late 1700s collected during British voyages of exploration to the Pacific Ocean through to garments made in 2014. Two new acquisitions featured are a Hawaiian dance skirt made by artist Dalani Tanahy, and a barkcloth wedding dress by New Zealand-based Samoan designer Paula Chan Cheuk. The wedding dress was commissioned by the Museum with funds from the New Zealand Society U.K and contributions from private individuals.