The ocean is essential to life on Earth. It provides over half the planet’s oxygen, absorbs carbon and supports the livelihoods of millions of people. Climate change, over-fishing and pollution are among many stressors that threaten the ocean’s health. While there is growing global awareness of the harm being caused, responses often exclude communities most reliant upon the sea.

Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Melanesia brings together the creative outputs of three community-based art projects that surface human relationships and emotional connections with the ocean. Indigenous knowledge, practices and worldviews are showcased in diverse media including murals, wearable art and literature, created by makers based in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

Recognising the ocean as a space that unites communities and countries reveals inherent common themes. The sea is a sacred place of identity, spirits and ancestors. Each of the featured works of art embody locally self-determined priorities, values and aesthetics that reflect the specific circumstances of their production.

The exhibition is presented by The Glasgow School of Art in partnership with One Ocean Hub, an international programme of collaborative research for development that promotes inclusive approaches to ocean governance. The Hub’s Deep Emotional Engagement Programme (DEEP) Fund supported the practice of independent artists and grassroot organisations to prioritise marginalised voices in global debates about marine policies and management.