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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Paperskin: the art of tapa cloth 

Exhibition now closed
19 June–12 September 2010

Paperskin: the art of tapa cloth invites you to celebrate the breathtaking visual sophistication and richness of an impressive selection of over 40 tapa works from around the Pacific.

Watch the TV commercial 

Selected objects

Mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.
See a selection of objects from the exhibition.

See selected objects

Online catalogue

Paperskin: barkcloth across the Pacific
Get more information, including a list of all the works and essays from the curators.
Explore the online catalogue

Making Tongan tapa

See a video of Feletoa Fa'apoi making tapa
Watch Feletoa Fa'apoi and members of the Tongan Otaota Fahina Society make tapa from imported products.
Making tapa, Tongan style

Where tapa comes from

Map of the Pacificc
From Papua New Guinea to Hawai'i, find how tapa is used across the Pacific.
Where tapa comes from and how it's used in the Pacific

 

Paperskin: the art of tapa cloth is organised by Queensland Art Gallery, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and Queensland Museum. It was first shown at the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane.

  • Kavat mask, 1971, Kairak Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Kavat mask, 1971, Kairak Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. Purchased 2009, Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant. Collection: Queensland Art Gallery
  • Mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Collected by SG MacDonell, 1913. Collection: Queensland Museum
  • Mask, Chachet Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Mask, Chachet Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. Collection: Queensland Museum
  • Mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Collected by SG MacDonell, 1913. Collection: Queensland Museum
  • Gioracka mask, 1978, Sibali Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Gioracka mask, 1978, Sibali Baining people, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. Collection: Harold Gallasch, Hahndorf, South Australia
  • Eharo mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.
    Eharo mask, Orokolo, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Collected by SG MacDonell, 1913. Collection: Queensland Museum
  • Ngatu, 1940s, Tonga.
    Ngatu, 1940s, Tonga. Gift of Valerie Morris, 1989. Collection: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

 

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