Papua New Guinea, 'Oceania' exhibition sponsor statement
Papua New Guinea is the most culturally diverse country in the world, with over 1,000 tribes and more than 850 languages. As you view the works in this exhibition, bear in mind that explorers were only able to first access the vast interior of Papua New Guinea as recently as the 1930s. The country is rich in its cultural heritage; its artworks are designed to mark status and beauty, to depict long-gone ancestors or to ward off evil spirits. ‘Oceania’ provides an insight into the rich tapestry of artworks that are, due to Papua New Guinea’s diversity, different from region to region and from tribe to tribe. ‘Oceania’ presents a unique opportunity to enjoy the huge variety of traditional artworks within Papua New Guinea and to experience its differences and similarities with other Pacific countries, and we hope that you will learn something new and come to appreciate these artworks from other cultures.
Her Excellency Ms Winnie A Kiap
High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea
Supporting partner
