Perth Voice Interactive

A  DUTCH cannon provides a menacing entry to Treasure Ships: Art in the Age of Spices, at the WA Art Gallery — rather fitting given the ruthless hold the Dutch East Indies Company held over a swathe of Asia for almost 200 years.

The 250 exhibits provide an arts-eye view of 400 years of the exchange of ideas and art between Europe and Asia through the spice trade, starting with Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India.

The highly lucrative (for Europe) spice trade led to a cross-pollination between previously isolated countries, and changes not only in art, but everyday life.

“Paisley, which we think of as so English, is an Indian motif that transferred across,” curator Melissa Harpley says.

Embracing cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon in the kitchens—now synonymous with Christmas—Europeans also took to Asian designs in crockery, art and furnishings. It was a two-way exchange, and Japanese and Chinese art now show western influences, Harpley says.

It’s surprising to discover the Portuguese introduced chilli to India, and Asia, from the Americas.

Unable to crack the secret to making porcelain until the 17th century, Europe was fascinated by it: “It was a technology they were envious of, referring to it as white gold,” says Harpley.

Holland’s famous blue and white delft-ware was inspired by Chinese porcelain, in turn inspiring Japan “[which] started picking up on Delft and [Italian] Maiolica,” Harpley says.

The world’s first multinational, Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (Dutch East Indies Company) was a ruthless, murderous conglomerate granted sweeping powers in 1602 to wage war, imprison and execute prisoners and establish colonies. It was also involved in the slave trade, and the exhibition shows paintings of slave ships, while Asian paintings depict the terror of European ships entering ports, cannons blazing.

There’s plenty in the huge exhibition for kids, including cannons and “amazing objects”, Harpley says.

And they can build their own Dutch man-of-war or treasure ship from Lego in the Gallery over the school holidays. (Check online for dates).

Treasure Ships: Art in the Age of Spices ends January 31. Tickets $15, students $10, kids u-12 $5.

by JENNY D’ANGER