By Shiva Lynn Burgos
Chief Paul Yapmunggwiyo Kongi, clan brother, chief of Mariwai Village and a master artist of the Kwoma people from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea has died in the same village where he spent his life serving his community as a teacher, magistrate, and storyteller.
He was the last living artist to contribute to the iconic Ceremonial House Ceiling, also known as the Kwoma Ceiling, which the Ceremonial House Ceiling adorning The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and is an acknowledged as a masterpiece of Oceanic art. This creation has left an indelible mark on the shared cultural heritage of the Kwoma people and the broader art community.
I first met Chief Paul in PNG in 2013 during my artistic research and was immediately struck by his warmth, wisdom, and welcome. Following successive visits to Mariwai, I founded The Mariwai Project. This artist-led initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional, modern, and contemporary art forms, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for original cultures like the Kwoma to the outside world. Chief Paul’s leadership and unwavering support has been instrumental in The Mariwai Project’s authenticity and continued success.
The loss of Chief Paul is deeply felt by those fortunate enough to have known him. His successor as Chief, the noted artist Matthew Kuar, is the owner of Tokimba, the current men’s house in Mariwai, which stands in correspondence with the re-imagined Ceremonial House Ceiling soon to be revealed in its new iteration at The Met in 2025.
Chief Paul’s Life and Legacy
Born circa 1950 in Mariwai, the small village of the Kwoma people tribe on the Sepik River, Chief Paul was the Chief of Mariwai and a Chief of the Kiava clan. He meticulously balanced ancient customs and traditions with the evolving needs of his community. He learned Kwoma culture and traditions from the village elders, particularly his father Chief Kwanggi, also a noted artist of the Kwoma Ceiling, who led the creation of the spirit house Ningidu in the early 1970’s. In 2016, as Chief himself, Paul led the community custom informing the creation and naming of Tokimba, the current spirit house in Mariwai.
A spirit house, the ceremonial building at the heart of a village, is a sacred space inhabited by the spirits and ancestors and hosts the cycle of rituals and ceremonies essential to Kwoma custom and culture. The decorations of a spirit house embody the very essence of this culture, depicting ancestral figures, legend stories, clan emblems, and vibrant natural motifs. Chief Paul was widely acknowledged for his expertise and skill in both carving and painting as well as protecting the secrets and customs.
The Met’s Kwoma Ceiling was commissioned by Douglas Newton some 50 years ago during the time Ningidu spirit house was being built. It is the largest work of contemporary art in The Met, comprising over 200 individual painted panels (pangals) which evokes the essential form of a ceremonial house ceiling. It stands as an homage to the artistic prowess and cultural significance of the Kwoma people. In 2025, The Met will reveal a new iteration of the Ceremonial House Ceiling in the newly designed Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. The new configuration will honour the traditional balance of clan identities and hierarchy with the direct input of the community. An initiative of The Mariwai Project led by Chief Paul Kongi and the descendants of the original Kwoma Ceiling artists, this re-imagining of the installation is in accordance with the wishes of the Kwoma people. This journey of the Kwoma Ceiling becomes more than just the story of an artwork, it is a testament to the power of collaboration and recognition in building a more inclusive future where cultural heritage is shared and celebrated responsibly.
A Lasting Impact
The passing of Chief Paul has left a profound void not only within the local community but also in the wider art world. The exceptional artistic talent and exemplary leadership of Chief Paul will be deeply missed but his legacy lives on through his iconic works in the Kwoma Ceiling and Tokimba, as well as the ongoing work of The Mariwai Project and in the work of all artists taught and inspired by him. He shared his invaluable cultural heritage and had the foresight to accept and embrace the coming changes and challenges, such as the younger generations moving away from tradition and the impact of emerging technologies. This adaptability and forward-thinking approach allowed him to navigate the evolving landscape and ensure the continued relevance and preservation of Kwoma artistic and cultural legacy.
Sadly, the Tokimba spirit house was affected by the recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the region in March 2024 and will need to be rebuilt. This setback will serve as a catalyst for continued efforts to recycle, protect and celebrate rich Kwoma traditions led by the successive generations. This includes the recently announced planning by The Mariwai Project for Papua New Guinea’s participation at the Venice Biennale in 2026 with its first National Pavilion for Papua New Guinea. This milestone project, championed by the PNG National Cultural Commission, will mark a significant step forward in recognizing the artistic contributions of Papua New Guinea on the global stage.
Chief Paul survived both of his wives Ellen and Monica. He is survived by six children, Martin, Alex, Sanol, Douglas, Calista and Roslyn and their many grandchildren. Chief Paul’s naming of Matthew Kuar as his successor as Chief of Mariwai ensures that the legacy of cultural stewardship continues to thrive.
Shiva Lynn Burgos is the founder of The Mariwai Project
“Kua hinga he tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne. Ka aroha Shiva, this is sad indeed to hear and your words for this ariki, so touching. Moe mai ra e te rangatira. Our thoughts are with the community in Mariwai. We honour the legacy of Chief Paul Yapmunggwiyo Kongi and appreciate deeply the relationship he and his generation of fellow artists created in the panels they painted five decades ago that we cherish in our museum. I write this from Central Park amongst the trees and leaves of New York and send our aroha and deep respect across the skies to Papua New Guinea. Arohatinonui, naku noa Maia”
Maia Nuku, Evelyn A. J. Hall and John A. Friede Curator for Oceanic Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art New York
“My sincerest love to him returning to the cosmos. It’s been so wonderful what you have created there with the community. We were so blessed to share these moments and my sincerest thank you for inviting us to Mariwai and glad that Paul had these years. I recall he had this cough but during the initiation he was so powerful. A big hug and thank you for letting us know. Ute”
Ute Meta Bauer, international curator, professor of contemporary art and the director of the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Singapore.
