Press and Editorial

For a culture's sake, chiefs sell sacred works

25 July 2008
Louise Schwartzkoff

» View For a culture's sake, chiefs sell sacred works exhibition

A COLLECTION of mysterious wooden figures, drums and masks carved on a volcanic island in Vanuatu has sparked a feeding frenzy among galleries and museums on its first showing in Australia.

Most of the works, carved by chiefs and craftsmen from Ambrym, were snapped up before Tuesday's opening of the exhibition, Ambrym: Art From Vanuatu, at Annandale Galleries. The Australian Museum has reserved four pieces, including a four-metre wooden drum worth $32,000. The National Gallery of Australia has its eye on a $35,000 face carved from a fern tree. The Queensland Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria also have artefacts reserved.

"To our knowledge, nobody outside Vanuatu has ever seen them before," said the curator of the exhibition, David Baker.

The carvings from fern, hardwood and breadfruit trees are traditionally hidden from outsiders and used in sacred ceremonies. Ambrym's chiefs gave the gallery permission to show and sell their work.

Chief Joachin Kilfan made his first overseas trip to help install the display. "I was a bit afraid to fly in an aeroplane," he said through an interpreter. "But this is the only way we can promote the culture from Ambrym ... Traditions that are too secret sometimes disappear."

The island's rugged terrain has partly shielded it from the modern world. There are no cars, almost no tourists and, until last week, no mobile phone network. Nevertheless, the traditional arts are fading. "Many young people do not even know how to beat drums, how to sing traditional songs, how to dance," said the principal of Ambrym's secondary school, Norbert Napong.

By selling art to Westerners, the chiefs hope to convince young people the old customs can be as profitable as a formal education and keep them from leaving. "We want to show them we are not a dying culture," Mr Napong said.

The works cost between $2000 and $35,000; the profits will help children afford the $600-a-year fees for Mr Napong's school.

Ambrym: Art From Vanuatu is at Annandale Galleries until August 23.

« Back to main press page


» View For a culture's sake, chiefs sell sacred works exhibition

A COLLECTION of mysterious wooden figures, drums and masks carved on a volcanic island in Vanuatu has sparked a feeding frenzy among galleries and museums on its first showing in Australia.

Most of the works, carved by chiefs and craftsmen from Ambrym, were snapped up before Tuesday's opening of the exhibition, Ambrym: Art From Vanuatu, at Annandale Galleries. The Australian Museum has reserved four pieces, including a four-metre wooden drum worth $32,000. The National Gallery of Australia has its eye on a $35,000 face carved from a fern tree. The Queensland Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria also have artefacts reserved.

"To our knowledge, nobody outside Vanuatu has ever seen them before," said the curator of the exhibition, David Baker.

The carvings from fern, hardwood and breadfruit trees are traditionally hidden from outsiders and used in sacred ceremonies. Ambrym's chiefs gave the gallery permission to show and sell their work.

Chief Joachin Kilfan made his first overseas trip to help install the display. "I was a bit afraid to fly in an aeroplane," he said through an interpreter. "But this is the only way we can promote the culture from Ambrym ... Traditions that are too secret sometimes disappear."

The island's rugged terrain has partly shielded it from the modern world. There are no cars, almost no tourists and, until last week, no mobile phone network. Nevertheless, the traditional arts are fading. "Many young people do not even know how to beat drums, how to sing traditional songs, how to dance," said the principal of Ambrym's secondary school, Norbert Napong.

By selling art to Westerners, the chiefs hope to convince young people the old customs can be as profitable as a formal education and keep them from leaving. "We want to show them we are not a dying culture," Mr Napong said.

The works cost between $2000 and $35,000; the profits will help children afford the $600-a-year fees for Mr Napong's school.

Ambrym: Art From Vanuatu is at Annandale Galleries until August 23.

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