Art and Artifacts

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There is a wide variety of art forms in diverse styles available across Papua New Guinea, and of course in West New Britain.  Many items serve both a cultural and practical purpose.  The Provincial Cultural Centre in Kimbe maintains an exhibition of archeological and historical pieces, while more recent examples can be purchased from Paradise Arts and Handicrafts. 

An example of stone work from Bali Witu, WNB. These carved stone pieces are unlike anything anywhere else in the world.WNB is home to many examples of carved stone, including spectacular unique carved stone heads (on Unea, one of the Bali-Witu islands), carved boulders, known as "rock art", standing stones, and stone used to create seats and tables.  On the south coast, there are also painted designs found on limestone cliffs facing the sea.  Only limited archeological research has yet been conducted into these items and a full understanding of their purpose and significance awaits further work.

PNG wants to keep its cultural heritage intact, so items made before 1960 are restricted exports.  Export of Bird of Paradise plumes as well as stone artifacts - except stone axes - is prohibited.  However, there are many items still made for use in WNB, and elsewhere, which may be available for purchase and export.  These include:

bullet Kundu drums and carved wooden mortar and pestle, courtesy of Paradise Arts and HandicraftsWooden bowls and pounders, used in combination as a mortar and pestle
bullet Examples of Bilums courtesy of Paradise Arts and HandicraftsBilums, or string bags, made from natural fibres;
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Examples of woven items courtesy of Paradise Arts and CraftsWoven bags, baskets and trays in a wide variety of designs;

bullet Masks from the Sepik area, available from Paradise Arts and HandicraftsMasks woven from cane or rattan or made of wood and clay and decorated with shells, hair and pigs teeth or incised with brown and white patterns and finished in glossy black;
bullet Traditional WNB Bride-price items - carved wooden serving bowl and ladle, shell money and clay potsCarved shell jewellery and medium to life size carvings of fish and animals from wood. Carved bowls, walking sticks and other traditional items may also be available;
bullet Garamut Drum courtesy of Paradise Arts and HandicraftsDrums made from a hollow tree trunk (Garamut) or the smaller Kundu, shaped like an hour glass with snake or lizard skin sketched over one end.

The Bali and Witu people of the Unea tribe of WNB are also well known for their varieties of traditional design paintings.

WNB artists are also combining traditional materials with modern colours and themes or using traditional themes in a completely modern way.  For a completely modern take on PNG art and culture, visit LeRiche Colours.

 

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