Oceania art is depicted through body modification, decorative pigments on flesh and intricate design inlaid on sculpture as well as the human form depicted through photography. These "You may lose your most valuable property through misfortune in various ways. You may lose your house, your wife and other treasures. But of your moko, you cannot be deprived except by death. It will be your ornament and companion until your last day. " Moko will be your ornament and companion until your last day". - Netana Whakaari of Waianae. The gallery exhibits work from Oceania in reguards to the human form and how it relates to body modification, scarification, with homage to tradition. Women are dressed with facial tattoos, face paint and specific cultural clothing to define their status in their community. The remaining sculpture depicts carved figures who act as the central poles of one of the three supporting posts within a wharenui or whare tupuna, (Maori ancestral house). These works represent the strict conventions, ceremonial rituals the Maori people went through to showcase wealth, power, status and prestige. Solomon Islands is known for their tattooing, inlaid work and beautiful sculptures that showcase body modification. This artwork comes from Solomon Islands and displays the transformation of the human form through body modification, scarification, decorative body paint used for ceremonial services, marks of prestige, power, mourning and obligation. The artwork is monumental and helped polarized western cultural obsession of body modification including tattooing and scarification. These pieces show significance to the culture and are highly regarded as sacred and beautiful. Each artwork relates to each, how Natives represent their stories, life, stature and family in body modifications. The practice of ancestral representation comes with rigorous protocols and scared associations. The sculptures are crafted to such excellent detail that is supposed to replicate the ancestor as if they were standing directly in front of you. These works represent so many cultural values in a beautiful descriptive aesthetically pleasing way. The work is strong, elegant and tells the story of who these people are and their goals and aspirations they wish to achieve in order to lead a full life. CITATIONS: "Koruru (gable Mask)." Object:. Web. 09 May 2016. "Maori Woman, Rotorua, New Zealand - Arthur James Iles - Google Cultural Institute." Maori Woman, Rotorua, New Zealand - Arthur James Iles - Google Cultural Institute. Web. 09 May 2016. "Photograph, Locality Unrecorded, New Zealand, 1891 - 1930." Museum Victoria Collections. Web. 09 May 2016 "Upoko Whakairo (carved Head)." Object:. Web. 09 May 2016. "Pou Tokomanawa (carved Centre Post)." Object:. Web. 09 May 2016. "Koruru (gable Mask)." Object:. Web. 09 May 2016.