Facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with stairs and visitors walking up and down.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

We are delighted to welcome The Met as a participant of the WanBel global project.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City holds one of the world’s most renowned collections of Oceanic art, with over 100 works from Papua New Guinea among its highlights. Central to this collection is the celebrated Kwoma Ceiling, an extraordinary contemporary work created by the Kwoma people as part of the Mariwai Project.

Its reinstallation in 2024 marked a major milestone, underscoring the importance of cultural exchange and the enduring vitality of Papua New Guinea’s artistic traditions. Displayed alongside masks, carvings, ritual objects, and exclusive film content produced through the Mariwai Project, the Oceanic galleries invite visitors to engage with the depth, power, and diversity of Pacific expression. Through this curatorial approach, the Metropolitan affirms its ongoing commitment to presenting and preserving the art and culture of Oceania within a global narrative.

To find out more click on the link below 

https://themariwaiproject.com/mariwai-project-new-york/

“The Kwoma Ceiling isn’t just an object behind glass. It’s a living breathing heritage, a voice calling us to remember the ancestral knowledge and keep it alive for future generations. This reopening is a milestone—not just for the Met, but for Papua New Guinea’s cultural sovereignty.”

— New York Times, May 31, 2025