Betni Kalk is a professor of Design at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. As the daughter of missionaries, Betni grew up in the East Sepik Province in Sawiyano territory. She returned as a college student and later asked permission from the elders to film their lives, with them deciding which … [Read more...]
All published stories from the OAS Journal
Aesthetics of New Guinea Art
Lecture by Michael Hamson, Savage Club, Melbourne, 21 October 2017 Introduction Aesthetics by definition are subjective — being one’s response to and appreciation of beauty. That subjective dimension becomes even more pronounced when discussing artifacts made by another culture where beauty may not … [Read more...]
Interview: Dr. Michael Mel
Jim Elmslie talks with the West Pacific Collection Manager from the Australian Museum about his life and the concept he has developed of museums being a Ples Namel– or middle place, between different peoples, cultures and objects. JE Michael you have had a long and interesting journey from … [Read more...]
Art of the Prince Alexander Ranges at the NGA
by Crispin Howarth The Prince Alexander Ranges in northern Papua New Guinea are home to a number of cultures. The largest group are the Abelam with a population of some 50,000 whose arts have heavily influenced their neighbours – the Arapesh and the Yangoru-Boiken people. These communities share … [Read more...]
Interview with Paula Latos-Valier
Paula Latos-Valier is the Art Director for the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation and chairs the Gallery Advisory Committee for the SH Ervin Gallery. She serves as Vice President of the Art Gallery Society of NSW, and is a consultant for the Biennale of Sydney’s Archive Project. Her former positions … [Read more...]
A Canoe Named Ealamai’iea, or Patience ©
By John Greenshields of Adelaide, South Australia I took this photo of Joseph Ayodila at the Milne Bay Canoe and Drum Festival on Alotau, Papua New Guinea, in 2014. I told Joseph of my interest in traditional canoes. I said I would like to return to Papua New Guinea one day to study them. Joseph … [Read more...]
Jens Bjerre – Danish Adventurer
by Leif Birger Holmstedt At the end of the Second World War the Danish travel ban ceased and the door had opened to the wider world. Jens Bjerre, a budding young adventurer could finally realize his great childhood dream of becoming a globetrotter. He left his regular job as political editor on … [Read more...]
Vale Jim Sinclair
James (Jim) Sinclair CSM OBE D.Litt, passed away in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on 9 October 2017. Jim Sinclair was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1992, an honorary doctorate from the Australian National University in 1999 and a Companion in the Order of the Star of Melanesia in … [Read more...]
The Savage Club OAS Forum a Stunning Success
The OAS Forum, held at the Melbourne Savage Club on October 21st, was a fantastic success and the Victorian members of the OAS, especially Dr. Michael Martin, are to be most heartily congratulated. The venue was superb; the speakers all truly world class and the food and company unsurpassable. … [Read more...]
Navigating for a ples namel: Between the Museum, Collections, and Communities
Saturday 11 November 2017 – OAS Lecture as part of our AGM. 10:00am registration, AGM 10:30am, 11:00am lecture in The Australian Museum. Michael A. Mel will be presenting an illustrated talk on Navigating for a ples namel: Between the Museum, Collections, and Communities This paper focuses … [Read more...]
