Introduction
The California-Pacific Triennial is a major international exhibition focused on contemporary art from the countries and cultures bordering the Pacific Ocean. Hosted by the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Costa Mesa, 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.
In the News
Current coverage of California-Pacific Triennial
Beyond the Golden State: How the California-Pacific Triennial Redrew the Art Map
For nearly three decades, the California Biennial at the Orange County Museum of Art served as a vital barometer of the state's contemporary art scene. It championed now-iconic artists like Mike Kelley and Catherine Opie long before they became international names. Yet, by the early 2010s, its inward-looking focus felt increasingly out of step with a globalized art world and California's own demographic and economic realities.
The solution, conceived by then-director Dennis Szakacs and brought to life by curator Dan Cameron, was radical: to pivot from a state-focused biennial to a region-focused triennial. But the "region" they chose was not a conventional landmass; it was the largest body of water on Earth. In 2013, the California Biennial was reborn as the California-Pacific Triennial, a bold initiative to reposition California not as an endpoint of American culture, but as a central node in the vast, interconnected network of the Pacific Rim.
"It was a conceptual leap that made perfect sense," says Cameron. "Look at a map. California's identity is shaped by its relationship with the Pacific. Its population, its economy, its culture—they are all deeply intertwined with Asia and Latin America. We wanted an exhibition that reflected this reality." The inaugural triennial featured 32 artists from 15 Pacific-bordering countries, from Chile to Japan, Canada to New Zealand.
This shift transformed the exhibition from a local survey into an ambitious platform for international dialogue. It challenged the dominant New York-Europe axis of the art world by proposing an alternative geography of contemporary art centered on the Pacific. The triennial explored shared histories of colonialism, trade, migration, and environmental precarity that link these seemingly disparate cultures. Works by artists like Michael Lin of Taiwan and Hugo Crosthwaite of Mexico were placed in direct conversation with their Californian counterparts, revealing surprising formal and thematic resonances.
The triennial's evolution is now physically embodied in OCMA's new home. Opened in 2022 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Thom Mayne-designed building is a statement of intent. With its expansive, light-filled galleries and a grand public staircase that spills into the plaza, the museum is an open, porous institution—an architecture perfectly suited to an exhibition dedicated to cross-cultural flows and exchanges.
As the triennial prepares for its fifth edition in 2026 under the new curatorial vision of Essence Harden, its founding premise seems more relevant than ever. In an era of resurgent nationalism, the California-Pacific Triennial stands as a powerful testament to the value of trans-oceanic dialogue. It argues that in the 21st century, our most profound connections may not be terrestrial, but fluid and tidal—much like the great ocean it seeks to understand.
Artistic Vision & 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.
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History & Legacy
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.
Established as the California Biennial, focusing on artists working in California.
Reimagined as the California-Pacific Triennial with expanded focus on Pacific Rim countries.
Explored themes of architecture and urban environments in the Pacific region.
The triennial inaugurates OCMA's new Thom Mayne-designed building.
Exhibition Venues
The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Costa Mesa, 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.
Video Experience
Get a glimpse into the California-Pacific Triennial and the stunning new home of the Orange County Museum of Art, a hub for art and culture in the region.
Video: OCMA's New Home | Watch on YouTube
Venue Location
The California-Pacific Triennial is hosted at the Orange County Museum of Art, located at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California.
- Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) - 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Orange County City Guide
Explore the cultural landscape of Orange County with our guide to key art spots, architectural landmarks, and coastal creativity beyond the triennial.
Premier performing arts complex
Historic artist colony and galleries
Features a major sculpture garden
Cultural art museum in Santa Ana
Getting Around
Orange County is best explored by car. OCMA offers on-site parking. The area is served by John Wayne Airport (SNA), with LAX and Long Beach (LGB) as nearby alternatives. Ride-sharing services are widely available.