Power and prestige, art of clubs in Oceania: the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly - Our pictures

This is a very exclusive exhibition that you can discover at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac. An exhibition on an object almost as old as humankind, an object that has its special features, uses, and own codes depending on where it is used. From June 8 to September 25, 2022, come and discover the “Power and prestige, art of clubs in Oceania” exhibition and be amazed by this multi-faceted object.

Featuring about 140 clubs, the musée du Quai Branly offers an overview of uses and symbols related to this object. Weapon, sculpture, emblem of authority, ceremonial object, the club is at the heart of organizations of some societies in Oceania. Obviously, it is related to war and power, as well as spiritual, artistic and political aspects of these communities.

This exhibition wonders about the uses of clubs while shining a light on the historic property of these pieces. From their fabrication to their use, via their status as memorabilia, trophy or scientific study object, clubs have a lot to say about those using them and those admiring them.

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Travel to the discretion of discoveries and works by ethnologists who traveled Oceania, discovering people living these oh-so faraway countries at the same time. Admire clubs from collections of the London British Museum, the Cambridge Museum of Archeology and Anthropology and the Leyde Museum Volkenkunde, exceptionally loaned.

The Musée du Quai Branly invites us to see beyond the appearances and enjoy the beauty, importance and role these art items can play that are often exclusively related to war and violence. These are genuine masterpieces gathered in this exhibition, sculptures over a hundred year old in perfect state of preservation.

The exhibition also allows to pay tirbute to forgotten artists and craftsmen who made these clubs in hard wood, precious wood, often difficult to work with. One can enjoy the finesse in execution, the thousands of details, the accessories added later on, the colors, the paintings... These objects teach us a lot about those who used them, about their daily lives, beliefs, discoveries... For many peoples in Oceania, clubs were related to ancestors watching over the youngest generations through these clubs. Today, these old spirits share some of their secrets through this display.

Be part of this journey and enjoy the uncommon story told by the Musée du Quai Branly, a several-voice story allowing us to understand and enjoy clubs better.