The Transforming Arts of Papua New Guinea, Exhibits, Spurlock Museum, U of I

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Exhibits</a></li> <li><a class="secondary button" href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/exhibits/online/">Online Exhibits</a></li> <li><a class="secondary button" href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/exhibits/past/">Past Exhibits</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </nav> </header>  <main>  <a id="maincontent" tabindex="-1"></a>  <div id="hero" class="hero-parent" data-focus-x="0.45" data-focus-y="0.10"> <img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/hero_1920.jpg" alt="The Transforming Arts of Papua New Guinea overview photo"> </div>  <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 columns"> <ol class="breadcrumbs" aria-label="breadcrumb navigation"> <li><a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/exhibits/">Exhibits</a></li> <li class="current">The Transforming Arts of Papua New Guinea</li> </ol> </div> </div>   <section id="exhibitinfo" class="full-width-band" aria-labelledby="exhibitinfo-heading"> <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 medium-10 large-8 medium-offset-1 large-offset-2 columns"> <h1 id="exhibitinfo-heading">The Transforming Arts of Papua New Guinea</h1> <ul class="label-list"> <li><span class="visuallyhidden">Duration:</span><span class="round info label">Temporary</span></li> <li><span class="visuallyhidden">Location:</span><span class="round info label">Campbell Gallery</span></li> </ul> <p><span class="icon date prepend" aria-hidden="true" title="Date"></span><span class="visuallyhidden">(date) </span>9/1/2009–1/1/2010</p> <p>Papua New Guinea, an island nation in the southwest Pacific, is a country of great diversity. Mountain forests, grasslands, and marine environments support tens of thousands of plant and animal species; many are found nowhere else on earth. Remarkable among these are hundreds of different birds. The cultural, linguistic, and artistic practices of the people are no less diverse. Over 700 languages are spoken, and language communities often have their own distinct cultural and artistic traditions. These traditions, shared in trade and through contact, result in regional forms and styles. Highlighted in this exhibit are the arts of the people of the Sepik River Basin, the Highlands, the Huon Gulf, and the capital city of Port Moresby.</p> <p>As a result of independence, citizens and members of the National Parliament have challenged themselves with the formidable task of working together to build a strong national identity and successful political economy while protecting rich cultural and natural resources. In a country characterized by great diversity this requires the attention of everyone.</p> <p>Artists are a leading force in this national effort, creating works that embody and express change. Their arts are revolutionary in their messages. Using a mix of contemporary and traditional imagery, the artists capture local beauty, offer critical reflection, and provide direction for political, economic and social development. In this process they take advantage of expanding forms of media. This exhibit both showcases artifacts reflecting regional styles and complements them by exploring the power of newer, national arts to inspire unity and progress rooted in local ways of living. </p> <blockquote> We [in Papua New Guinea] need integrity and vision. Artists can and should take the lead. <cite> Daniel Waswas, one of Papua New Guinea鈥檚 foremost artists </cite> </blockquote> </div> </div> </section>  <section id="gallery" class="full-width-band image-grid" aria-labelledby="gallery-heading"> <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 columns"> <h2 class="visuallyhidden" id="gallery-heading">Photo Gallery</h2> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery1.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery1.jpg" alt="a crafted mask made of wood and another woven material"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-3 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery2.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery2.jpg" alt="gallery view from the back of the exhibit with many objects shown"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-3 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery3.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery3.jpg" alt="figure and a large story board sculpture"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-3 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery4.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery4.jpg" alt="vivid illustration of fishermen and people in an airplane"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-3 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery5.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery5.jpg" alt="bag, woman weaving, figure with a woven hat and necklace"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-6 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery6.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery6.jpg" alt="various crafted figures"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-6 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery7.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery7.jpg" alt="pots and large basins"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-6 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery8.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery8.jpg" alt="more crafted figures that resemble people"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-6 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery9.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery9.jpg" alt="angled view of faces on masks and figures"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery10.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery10.jpg" alt="more cenetered view of the faces on masks and figures"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-4 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery12.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery12.jpg" alt="large plate of story board sculpture"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-4 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery13.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery13.jpg" alt="another display case of face masks and figures"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-4 columns end"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery16.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery16.jpg" alt="gallery view showing many of the artifacts"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-8 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery17.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery17.jpg" alt="large figure with a big mask for a head"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-4 columns thin-padding"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery14.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery14.jpg" alt="interactive rolling introduction panels"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 medium-4 large-4 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery15.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery15.jpg" alt="gallery overview showing another angle of the objects on display"></a> </div> <div class="small-12 columns"> <a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery11.jpg"><img src="/web/20240704093342im_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/img/exhibits/transforming-arts-papua/gallery11.jpg" alt="wall of pictures with a text heading card that has 'prophets in our times' on it"></a> </div> </div> </section>  </main>  <a id="footer" tabindex="-1"></a> <div data-interchange="[/_footer.html, (small)]"></div> <noscript> <footer> <div class="row"> <div class="small-12 columns"> [Javascript Required] but you can access the {<a href="/web/20240704093342/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/_footer.html">FOOTER</a>} through direct link.<br><br> </div> </div> </footer> </noscript> </div> <script src="/web/20240704093342js_/https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/js/min/app-min.js"></script> </body> </html>

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The Transforming Arts of Papua New Guinea, Exhibits, Spurlock Museum, U of I