Steven Hooper

Steven Hooper is Professor of Visual Arts at the Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, University of East Anglia. He is a leading scholar in Pacific and North American arts, with a focus on Fijian and Polynesian material culture, ritual, exchange, and museum studies.

Education:

• PhD in Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge (fieldwork in Fiji)

His research explores the intersections of art, anthropology, and ethnohistory, particularly in the context of chiefship, cultural property, and the art market. He has published extensively on Pacific art, including major works such as Pacific Encounters and the Robert & Lisa Sainsbury Collection. His work often bridges academic scholarship and public engagement through exhibitions.

The recent articles show a sustained focus on Polynesian divinity, Fijian cultural heritage, and the evolving role of museums in representing Pacific cultures. Themes include sacred objects, embodiment, colonial encounters, and the future of ethnographic institutions.

Scientific Awards:

• Order of Fiji (2017)

Professor Hooper has led significant research projects funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, including initiatives on Fijian artistic heritage and Pacific collecting in Scotland. He has collaborated with scholars such as K. Jacobs and J. Cooper, indicating active mentorship and team leadership. His work combines field research, publication, exhibition curation, and international collaboration.

He is involved in the Sainsbury Research Unit, a key center for the study of global non-Western art, where he contributes to research, training, and public programming. His projects often involve museum partnerships, such as with the British Museum and National Museums Scotland.