THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX WILL ATTEND THE OPENING OF THE ‘OCEANIA’ EXHIBITION
Royal Academy of Arts, London
Tuesday 25th September, 2018
The Duchess of Sussex will attend the opening of ‘Oceania’ at the Royal Academy of Arts on Tuesday 25th September.
‘Oceania’ is the first ever major survey of Oceanic art to be held in the United Kingdom. The exhibition will celebrate the art of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, encompassing the vast Pacific region including New Guinea, Easter Island, Hawaii and New Zealand. ‘Oceania’ will bring together around 200 works from public collections worldwide, spanning over 500 years. The exhibition also marks the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768 – the same year Captain James Cook set out on his first Endeavour expedition.
The exhibition will be organised around three main themes. Voyaging will look at life on the water as revealed through the stories of indigenous navigation. Place-making will explore the settlement of communities and Encounter will focus on trade and exchange in Pacific cultures.
During the visit, The Duchess will receive a tour of ‘Oceania’, spending time viewing exhibits from different regions including New Zealand, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and Australia, which she and The Duke of Sussex will visit in October. Her Royal Highness will also meet the exhibition’s curators and artists as well as descendants linked to the works displayed and view a short performance of Ngāti Rānana, a Māori cultural group.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s programme during their official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and New Zealand next month will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts.
‘Oceania’ will run at the Royal Academy of Arts from 29th September – 10th December 2018.
