Micronesia art is an integral part of Micronesia culture. The different art forms, which include complex surface designs, contour designs and functional forms, have made a distinguished mark in the world of art and craft. Around 2,500 islands constitute to form the archipelago of Micronesia. The archipelago is inhabited by 200,000 people, who play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s artscape.
Micronesian art centers round weather charms and stick charts. The stick charts are made by the inhabitants of the Republic of the Marshall Island, an island nation forming a part of the Micronesian archipelago. Weather charms are another art form and are made by the inhabitants of the Yap Island. Both the weather charms and stick charts are helpful for prolonged ocean voyages. In Micronesia, weather charms are also known as ‘hos’. These are representations of Yalulawei or nymphs and are used to protect against evil spirits and bad storms. On the other hand, stick charts are the antiquated navigational instruments employed for pinpointing the various geographic locations of the Micronesian islands. They also perform a secondary function of predicting the aquatic flow of oceanic currents and waves.
Bai or big houses inhabited by men are also a part of the unique Micronesian art. Earlier, these big houses were also used as clubs and featured portraits of a young woman, Dilukai, with her legs wide spread. Apart from all these, potteries, jewelries and so on also fall under Micronesia art. These art forms are bearers of the rich and diverse culture of the archipelago.
