For the first time, a major exhibition will be devoted to the art of clubs in Oceania, looking at the many facets of these exceptional, yet little-known and often misjudged, ethnographic objects, curated by Steven Hooper.

‘Clubs’, ‘maces’, ‘traditional weapons’… behind these reductive terms lies a category of objects long confined by clichés and prejudices. At the instigation of exhibition curator Steven Hooper, Power and Prestige seeks to do them justice and shine a light on the complexity, beauty and cultural importance of these works of art, which offer an insight into Pacific cultures as a whole, from Australia to Easter Island. It’s a first for an exhibition of this scale, which brings together 145 exceptional pieces conserved in public and private European collections.

While acknowledging the warrior dimension and the role of violence, both real and symbolic, associated with clubs, the exhibition focuses particularly on highlighting the sophistication of their carving, ornamentation and all the material and spiritual characteristics that make them more than just simple tools. These clubs are thus revealed as sculptures, works of art, objects of representation, symbols of authority and prestige, images and vessels of the divine, trade goods and ceremonial instruments. Nor does the exhibition overlook the historic value of pieces alternately designated as souvenirs, trophies, ethnographic documents and much else besides.

Presented at Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti in Venice from 16 October 2021 to 13 March 2022. The exhibition is organised by Fondazione Giancarlo Ligabue in Venice and musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris.