“Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific” will feature artwork including an early to mid-19th century necklace made from sperm whale ivory and coir. (photo courtesy of the University of Cambridge)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will present “Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific,” the first substantial project on the art of Fiji to be mounted in the U.S.

On view Dec. 15 through July 19, the exhibition will feature over 280 artworks drawn from major international collections and includes figurative sculpture, ritual kava bowls, breastplates of pearl shell and whale ivory, large-scale bark cloths, small portable temples, weapons, and European watercolors and paintings.

Additionally, the exhibition showcases historic photographs from LACMA’s recently acquired Blackburn collection, as well as a newly-commissioned 26-foot, double-hulled sailing canoe (drua) constructed in Fiji using traditional materials and techniques.

LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd.

For information, call (323)857-6000, or visit lacma.org.