Inspired by the historic 2025 declaration by Pacific Island leaders, Ocean of Peace anchors a vision of the future in the enduring harmony, cooperation, and ancestral wisdom of Pacific peoples. Pacific Island leaders declared the Blue Pacific Continent as an Ocean of Peace:

Recognising Pacific peoples as custodians of the Blue Pacific Continent, and recalling that peace is integral to the Pacific Way in guiding interactions within and beyond the region through dialogue, consensus, respect for national sovereignty, and cultural traditions;

Acknowledging the critical role of inclusive approaches to peace that recognise the unique contributions of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, civil society, faith-based organisations, the private sector, women and girls in all their diversity, persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalised or vulnerable groups in building and sustaining peace and resolving conflict across our Blue Pacific Continent;

Positioning the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace as a statement of our Pacific worldview, where peace, security and development are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, and where our priorities, including economic, social, cultural, environmental, and human wellbeing, are defined on our terms and advanced in alignment with our values, interests and aspirations.

Ocean of Peace features eleven contemporary artists whose visual storytelling spans carving, painting, drawing, photography, poetry, sculpture, weaving, and digital rendering. Exhibited alongside select treasures from the East-West Center Collection, these dynamic offerings bridge cultures and communities, inviting us all to look beyond geopolitical divisions and collectively realize a unified ocean of peace. 

This collaborative exhibition is organized into thematic areas of Story, Restoring and Re-story-ing; Generations, Responsibility to Community; Renewal, Resilience, and Protection. 

Featured artists: James C. Bamba, Carol Ann Carl, Manny Crisostomo, Gillian Dueñas, Kainoa Gruspe, Amber Khan, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Kalany Omengkar, Saumolia Puapuaga, Anthony Watson, and Lissette Yamase