Introduction

The California-Pacific Triennial is a significant exhibition of contemporary art that focuses on artists from countries and regions bordering the Pacific Ocean. Hosted by the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Newport Beach, California, the triennial provides a unique lens through which to explore the diverse artistic practices, cultural exchanges, and shared challenges across this vast geographical area.

Originally established as the California Biennial in 1984, the exhibition was reimagined and expanded in 2013 to embrace the broader Pacific region, acknowledging California's position within this important cultural zone. The triennial serves as a vital platform for cross-cultural dialogue, showcasing the work of artists from North and South America, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Narrative & Themes

The California-Pacific Triennial explores the complex interconnections and shared concerns of countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. Each edition is developed around specific thematic frameworks that address issues relevant to the region, such as environmental sustainability, migration, colonial histories, indigenous knowledge, and the impact of globalization.

By focusing on the Pacific as a connecting rather than dividing entity, the triennial highlights both commonalities and differences among diverse cultural perspectives. It offers a counterpoint to Euro-centric art narratives by centering the Pacific region as a dynamic space of artistic production and exchange.

Recent editions have addressed pressing contemporary issues such as climate change and rising sea levels, which significantly impact many Pacific communities, as well as the economic and social dynamics of trans-Pacific relations. The triennial consistently provides a platform for emerging and established artists whose work offers critical reflections on these shared regional concerns.

History & Context

The California-Pacific Triennial evolved from the California Biennial, which was established by the Orange County Museum of Art in 1984 as a survey of contemporary art in California. After nearly three decades of highlighting California artists, the exhibition was reconceived in 2013 to embrace a broader geographical focus that acknowledges California's position within the Pacific Rim.

This expansion represented a significant shift in curatorial vision, recognizing the increasingly global nature of contemporary art and the importance of fostering dialogue across the Pacific region. Under the direction of former OCMA Chief Curator Dan Cameron, the inaugural California-Pacific Triennial in 2013 featured artists from 15 countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.

Exhibition Venues

The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Newport Beach, California serves as the primary venue for the California-Pacific Triennial. In 2022, OCMA moved to its new purpose-built facility at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis. This state-of-the-art building provides expanded gallery spaces particularly well-suited to the ambitious scale of the triennial.

The museum's contemporary architecture reflects California's distinctive relationship with light, space, and landscape, creating dynamic exhibition environments for diverse artistic practices. With flexible gallery spaces, the venue accommodates a wide range of media including large-scale installations, digital works, performance, and traditional visual arts, allowing for a comprehensive presentation of contemporary Pacific Rim art.