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.

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Memories - Macabre and Magic

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

Margaret Way

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

Spirit Blong Bubu I Kam Bak [The Return of the Spirits of the Ancestors]

Reflections on an exhibition in Vanuatu of old pieces of ni Vanuatu art held in European collections. Touring Exhibition 'Arts of Vanuatu' 29 June - 10 August 1996 at the National Museum of Vanuatu in the national capital of Port Vila.

Ralph Regenvanu

The Silence which Howls

Exhibition review Second Look: Prospect Textile Biennial Prospect Gallery 14 April - 5 May 1996

Brenda Goggs

New Developments for the Papua New Guinea National Museum

Brief article outlining the current directions and focus for the PNG Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby.

Barry Craig

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

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

Contemporary Maori Architecture - The Case for the Untraditional

One of the most insidious myths about contemporary Maori architecture is that it does not exist, since 'traditional' Maori building design has been influenced by colonial architecture. Looks at contemporary issues in Maori architecture.

Deidre Brown

Resilient Modernism

Exhibition review Miriam Stannage and Tom Gibbons Goddard de Fiddes Contemporary Art Perth, Western Australia 2- 22 June 1996

Robert Cook

Weaving the Old with the New: Textile Art Forms in Niugini

Women artists were conspicuously absent from the important exhibition 'Luk Luk Gen'. The exhibition 'Pacific Dreams' included textile works by the artist Agatha Waramin who works with bilums and the exhibition 'Weaving the Old with the New' will extend women's exposure in an artistic context.

Ross Searle

Creativity in the Forest

In 1994, the small Balai community of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, commenced paper making which led to the development of printmaking. Small enterprises and ecotourism may well be the future of these small island communities.

Christine Delany

Tandanya - Captivating Culture

Brief overview of the current focus of Tandanya the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide, South Australia.

Stephanie Britton

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