Thornton Gallery

The Black Islands: Spirit and War in Melanesia

This photographic exhibition by Ben Bohane provides a unique opportunity for New Zealand audiences to gain an insight into the complex realities of our Melanesian neighbours. Through Bohane’s photographs we are given a window into these worlds otherwise unseen or censored. The photographs reveal the turbulent, layered relationships between traditional kastom beliefs and Christianity embroiled into social and political movements of the area.

To the north of New Zealand and Australia lie “the black islands” – the archipelago of Melanesian nations from Timor to Fiji. In recent years this area of the Pacific has come to be known as the “arc of instability” as warring factions have taken hold. These conflicts have heightened our apprehensions of the remote islands and their people.

For the past 16 years photo journalist Ben Bohane has journeyed through these islands to find and document the spirit worlds local people inhabit, so as to better understand their circumstances and ours.

Ben Bohane has exhibited his photographs throughout the world since 2003 and this exhibition has been co-curated by Ana Terry and Don Hunter of Art Crew Ltd.