Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • ARTS

Natural canvas

ANCIENT RITUAL

A reflection of the sacred
stories behind remote Papua
New Guinean Tapa art is
coming to Cairns.

Sihot’e, Nioge; when skirts become artworks
features the Tapa art of the Omie people "Locals and visitors alike may not only
from the remote mountains of Oro discover their beauty but take home a
Province in Papua New Guinea. unique piece created by artists from our
Each piece is made from the inner bark nearest neighbour Papua New Guinea,
of certain rainforest trees, while the dyes knowing they will be supporting artists
are also all natural. Cairns Museum has who still live in extreme material poverty.”
partnered with the Court House Gallery
to present the large-scale exhibition.
The display centres around the creation
story of the Omie people, which involves It is a reminder to all 1
the making of the first beautiful Tapa
skirt, or nioge. According to traditional of us of the diverse
lore, the first man Mina told the first cultures and artists of our
woman Saja to go down to the river, find
the right tree, remove its bark and beat nearest neighbours
it on the river stones. She came back Fleur Anderson
wearing the first symbol of their culture, Cairns Historical
setting the foundation for the first Omie Society EO
community to develop.
Curator Joan Winter told Tropic the story The Omie people remain isolated and
set the rituals of Omie society, which are still creating what are renowned as
continue today. the most colourful and compositionally
“The Tapa’s traditional use in a changing diverse painted beaten bark cloth in the
world is still essential for many Pacific region. Sihot’e is a dramatic form
ceremonial occasions and utilitarian of appliqued Tapa which creates bold,
needs,” she said. “Its flexiblity has assertive works.
propelled it into the international art “The Cairns Museum is excited to bring
market and pieces are present in many this beautiful exhibition to Cairns,”
public and private collections across said Executive Officer of Cairns Historical
Australia today. Society, Fleur Anderson.
2

“We are looking forward to sharing it with
the local PNG community in Cairns.
“We are also excited to be partnering with
the Court House Gallery for the first time.
“It is only through partnerships that we
can bring travelling exhibitions to
Cairns and we look forward to more in
the future.”
Sihot’e, Nioge; when skirts become artworks
is open to the public from 21 May until
30 July at both the Cairns Museum and
Court House Gallery. Unique works in the
exhibition are for sale.

3

1. Buruhi dehi’e Vei’e ijihe Vindho’e (eagle feathers, lizard bone, human belly button). Artist: Doris Naumo
2. Lila Warrimou, Senior Omie Cultural Leader MORE: cairnsmuseum.org.au
3. Gome (orchids). Artist: Ilma Ugibari

57 • tropicnow.com.au