'MANA' brings rare Pacific island treasures

More than 200 rare wood carvings from the western Pacific — including ceremonial masks, totemic sculptures and traditional tribal artifacts — are now on display at the Sky Museum in Futian District. The exhibition, titled “MANA: Island Spirit and Art of the Western Pacific,” brings together centuries-old pieces from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand and beyond.

A wooden statue from East Timor. Photos from Sky Museum's WeChat official account

Spanning 180 million square kilometers, the Pacific Ocean is dotted with nearly 20,000 islands, each nurturing distinct cultures shaped by the sea. At the heart of many of these island beliefs lies the concept of “Mana” — an invisible supernatural force believed to reside in all things. The exhibition offers an immersive journey through this spiritual world, where ancestral figures, ritual masks, totems and reliquaries serve as vessels for dialogue between humans, ancestors, nature and the divine.

A wooden shield (L) and a ceremonial mask from Papua New Guinea.

In a break from conventional museum practice, the exhibition removes glass barriers, allowing visitors to come face-to-face with original works and uncover the survival wisdom and maritime faith of Pacific island peoples layer by layer.

A dedicated interactive zone lets visitors try their hand at playing traditional slit drums, experimenting with bark cloth pattern-making, and participating in board games — offering a hands-on taste of western Pacific culture.

Dates: Through Sept. 26

Venue: Sky Museum, 48-49F, SMG Finance Center, Futian District (福田区广电金融中心48-49F天空美术馆)

Metro: Line 2, 3 or 11 to Futian Station (福田站), Exit 32

A poster for the exhibition. File photo