Photos – courtesy of Johan Vipper ©
The Yale Peabody Museum has opened the Hall of the Pacific, a new gallery showcasing an extensive collection of artworks, photographs, and artefacts celebrating Pacific Islander cultures. This exhibit features 254 objects, including a carved canoe prow from Vanuatu, ceremonial house paintings from Papua New Guinea, and decorated shields from the Solomon Islands.
Located on the museum’s third floor, the exhibit highlights the vastness of the Pacific, the navigation feats of its people, and the region’s cultural diversity. Made possible by Thomas Jaffe ’71, the Hall of the Pacific offers a unique connection to Pacific cultures and AAPI communities in Connecticut.
“This is a first for the Peabody,” said Director David Skelly. “Thanks to Tom Jaffe and our community partners, we can showcase these incredible objects and celebrate Pacific Islander cultures.”
Thomas Jaffe, a lifelong collector of Pacific artefacts, expressed his excitement: “Sharing these objects with the public at the Yale Peabody is a dream come true. I hope visitors will be inspired by the Pacific’s cultures for generations.”
The 3,655 sq.-ft. Hall, the museum’s second-largest space, displays objects unseen by the public for decades. Alongside Jaffe’s collection, many museum artefacts are exhibited for the first time. New work and classroom spaces will provide enhanced access for study and research.
The hall will also host community events and discussions for the AAPI community in New Haven and beyond.
Other Highlights Include:
A rare Tago mask from the Tami Islands
Eharo masks from Papua New Guinea
A 19th-century warup drum from Saibai Island
An iUla Tavatava missile club from Fiji
Stylized spirit face masks from Vanuatu
A Māori feather cloak from New Zealand
