The Contemporary Highland Shield: Hybrid Forms in Papua New Guinea

The author examines shield collected in 1995 to discuss issues fundamental to the introduction of the art of emergent societies in an international art context. Issues such as the definition of art and aesthetics, art versus craft, function of art in the various contexts etc...

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The Art of Survival: The Importance of Contemporary Theatre in Papua New Guinea

In many developing countries where indigenous communities are faced with the rapid process of development, theatre has become an extremely important educational tool. With escalating resource exploitation, rising numbers of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS and increases in violent crimes by an unemployed and disillusioned youth, the importance of this form of communication cannot be underestimated.

Liz Thompson

Touch Don't Touch

Exhibition review Tangibility Claire Barclay, John R Neeson, Stephen Bush & Jan Nelson Plimsoll Gallery and Powder Magazine, Hobart 10 - 31 May 1996

Mary Knights

Neo-colonialist Precipice

Exhibition review Secret Places Sieglinde Karl, Hazel Smith, Kate Hamilton, Ron Nagorka Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Touring regional Australia through Contemporary Art Services Tasmania and the national Exhibitions Touring Scheme.

Jane Deeth

Truth, Whose Truth?

Exhibition review Peter Dailey: Prime Time Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery University of Western Australia 17 May - 30 June 1996

Ray Spiteri

Alternative Festival in Samoa

An alternative festival celebrating the people of the Pacific was held on one of the outer islands (Manono) in Western Samoa at the same time as the official Pacific Festival of the Arts in Apia. The festival was conducted from 8-23 September 1996.

Megan Tamati-Quennell

Memories - Macabre and Magic

Exhibition review Aadje Bruce: Domestic Bliss Artplace Claremont Western Australia 9 May -1 June 1996

Margaret Way

Dancing the Society: Performing Arts in the Solomon Islands

Performing arts in the Solomon Islands Since the common determining facts in whether to keep, add changes, or reject aspects of the performing arts are based on the dollar, Solomon Islanders will continue to adopt new styles of dances, music, songs and forms of acting in the same way as some Church groups have done.

Lawrence Foanaota

Soapstone Workshop

April 1996 at the Pouebo Town Hall northern New Caledonia. A sculptural tradition has always been alive in this area so a workshop was held to explore the use of soapstone sculpture.

Denise Tiavouane

Art is Land: Land is Art - Talks with Banduk Marika

Discussion with the artist Banduk Marika about the issues facing her community of Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Indigenous art practice and land rights, cultural heritage, education and knowledge, environmental protection and mining intrusions are discussed.

Stephanie Britton

The Island Race in Aotearoa

Today the art of the Pacific Islanders is still trapped within its category. The display cases of the institutions have not been shattered. Yet the very act of exhibiting demonstrates that the making and the appreciation of art is a dynamic process. Institutions are caught by a need to both legitimise themselves and acknowledge (and perhaps attempt to control) the art of the migrant communities.

Jim Vivieaere

Pacific Stories from New Caledonia

Collecting Pacific Art is not a straight forward endeavour. There are really no set criteria of what 'contemporary Pacific art' might be, little interpretive literature on the subject and very few precedents for forming even small collections for cultural institutions. There is a new cultural centre 'the Jean-Marie Cultural Centre' being built in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Susan Cochrane

Art and Ritual: Aina Asi A Mavaru Kavamu

The artist writes of the issues facing her as a citizen of Papua New Guinea, a descendant of the Motu Koita people, being female and an artist/textile designer. Her traditional grass skirts were included in the Asia-Pacific Triennial.

Wendy Choulai

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