Six Papua New Guinean artists successfully staged their exhibition last night in Port Moresby.
The staging of the show was the culmination of months of preparation not only on their pieces but also on the logistics of the exhibition.
Staged at the Royal Papuan Yacht club in Port Moresby, it was an event that commentators say must be replicated more often and throughout the country.
The yacht club was transformed into a gallery of fine PNG art.
As different as the 54 pieces were to each other, they all had one thing in common, PNG and its diverse culture and beauty.
The Master of ceremony for the night and one of PNG’s experts on creative arts, Professor Michael Mel, called it an exceptional night.
Prof. Mel said the creative art world and the culture of PNG is a sleeping giant. He said the country is going through a cultural “numbness” and exhibitions and galleries are needed in country not only to display artistic talents but to help society develop as well.
PNG Art Evolution, the name under which the six artists are exhibiting under, committed that for each piece sold, 20 per cent will be donated to a charity of their choice. Before the evening officially began, Albert Joseph sold more than three pieces.
Joseph was quite ecstatic saying he is currently experimenting with different styles of contemporary art.
Sports and National Events Minister, Justin Tkatchenko, was one of the attendees who bought a couple of the paintings. One of those paintings sold for more than K20,000.
But the evening wasn’t just about selling art; it was also an opportunity to network. An invitee to the event was PNG Fashion Week leading woman Janet Sios who was more than impressed with the display.
“I want to see these paintings on fabric,” she said.
For the artists, it is a show that was born out of a need to display their deeply personal work in an arena that was worthy of it. Something they say has been missing for all PNG artists. It is hoped that this will trigger more exhibitions and galleries to open up.
