Solomon Islands art represents what you’d expect it to in many ways: nature, raw beauty and the magic of its oceans.
While the Solomon Islands is known for its shell money, and its intricately designed handcrafts such as carvings, baskets and jewelry, there is also a lot of Solomon Islands art in the more traditional sense: sculptures, modern and traditional paintings and pottery, which can be purchased at markets and villages throughout the Solomons. There is also an amazing collection of Solomon Islands art at the National Art Gallery in Honiara, which is where we started our trip.
When you land in Honiara, even if you’re planning to focus your trip to all things “beach and water,” I’d recommend dedicating a few hours to the cultural scene in Honiara: the main market and the art gallery.
The Solomon Islands Art Scene
Solomon Art: one of my favorites at the National Gallery was painted by artist Nelson Horipua called The Last Drop of Heaven.
I love the above painting so much as it has to do with the environment, protecting it and man’s interference with the natural flow of the Earth‘s ecosystem. The poem below is written by Nelson Horipua, who is from Kwaibala in the Malaita Province and is named after his above painting by the same name. It’s nothing short of powerful and if you love the environment and want to protect it, you’ll be deeply moved by his art and poem.
The Last Drop of Heaven
“Creatures of the Arth
Crying Foul because
Their Ecosystem is poisoned
By man’s greed for development
The air, sea and land is polluted with toxic chemicals
Trees chopped mercilessly
For profit to sustain man’s Hunger for Wealth
Rivers polluted
A result of industrialilzation
In the villages, life rolls on
People laughing, dancing and having fun
Polluting their environment
“Leaf bloakwa no moa” they shout
Little they know their action is a grave waiting its fill.
Here comes the final drop of heaven.
A drop that quenches no human thirst and hunger
Because human greed has had its fill.”
Wow, right? If only this artist had stepped foot on western soil…..seen what has happened in the United States and where man has pushed his way further into environmental interference, like the South American Amazon.
The National Gallery in Honiara
We loved our tour of the National Gallery in Honiara. My favorite Solomon Island art came from artists Eddie Meke and Nelson Horipua, both of whose work are shown in this article. I also enjoyed the work of James Wale who showed some Tomok acrylic on canvas from the Western Province and Desmond Amasia, whose modern abstract work is largely done on Tapa cloth.
Work from the Honiara National Gallery
Vibrant colors are used, especially when depicting the ocean, fish and nature.
More traditional work on parchment paper at the National Gallery in Honiara
It’s not only paintings where local Solomon Islands artists excel
Bold rich colors are on display on the walls of the Honiara National Gallery
Much diversity is to be found among their styles — surrealism, traditional nature-scapes and beyond
Eddie Meke is one of the more well known artists who show at the National Gallery. Originally from Ambu Malaita province, he works on canvas, cloth and fabric and does a lot of iconic motifs and figures.
Even the artists who present at the well known National Gallery in Honiara sell their work in markets and on the street (unframed of course). Solomon Islands art on display: Artist shown above: Eddie Meke.
Below is some of the art we saw hanging on the walls in the Honiara Airport (domestic terminal).
Culture and Solomon Islands art can be found throughout the regions.
At the National Gallery in Honiara above and below
Us outside the National Gallery in Honiara
At the National Gallery
More magic at the Honiara Gallery
Paintings at the National Gallery above and below
A close up of the same work!
Anthony and our Honiara driver Andrew walking through the National Gallery
Gods & Warriors Protect the Country
Below are a variety of statues and etchings into wood and stone which you can find throughout the Solomon Islands. As such, they are part of Solomon Islands art in many ways. Gods, warriors and beyond are were displayed in a variety of forms — the below can be found at the Tavanipupu Resort & Spa on Marau Sound.
Above and below: Ancestral Gods and Warrior energy are an integral part of the Tavanipupu property
Ancient Ceremonial Shrines
The Solomon Islands are scattered with archaeological monuments including ancient ceremonial shrines. You can visit ancient hill forts on the tops of mountains, headhunting or skull shrines and other sites of important legends, such as Skull Island.
Unfortunately, some of the skulls which have been left there have been taken, although some remain and local “spirit protectors” watch over the island to keep what remains in tact, as well as to demonstrate respect for the spirits who remain.
Skulls still on Skull Island, protected by local “spirit protectors,” as they are called by some.
Solomon Islands Art Even in Hotels
Even in hotels, you’ll find Solomon Islands art in abundance. For example, look at this stunning piece behind the reception at the well known and popular Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara, where we had lunch on our first day.
Interesting Solomon Islands art in the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara
Creative Solomon Islands Art Thru Jewelry & Crafts
You can also find amazing creativity through the jewelry, crafts, woodwork and shells in the markets and villages of the Solomon Islands. For example, take a look at the “creative magic” we marveled at in the popular Honiara Market.
Beautiful shell money and shell work through their jewelry.
Jewelry at the Honiara Market
More Creativity on the Walls
We discovered more creativity on the walls in Honiara and in between the capital city and Marau Sound near Tavanipupu.
Vibrant colors throughout their artwork
Traditional etchings in wooden canoes and on wood at Tavanipupu
Native etchings, modern surrealism, abstract and symbolism through lizards, animals and oceans
We love this piece!!!
Rich blues for the abundance of rich clear blue waters that surround the Solomon Islands
Traditional etchings in wood that we discovered randomly at the Tavanipupu Resort
Beautiful shell work and shell money that shows up in the Solomon Islands jewelry
Other Useful Articles on the Solomon Islands
- The Tavanipupu Resort & Spa
- The Solomon Islands Art Scene
- Under the Sea in the Solomon Islands Snorkeling
- Traveling to Skull Island from Munda
- Your Ultimate Solomon Islands Travel Guide
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Note: we were hosted and sponsored in conjunction with the Solomon Islands Tourism Board but all opinions expressed are entirely our own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
