The countdown for the National Gallery of Australia’s landmark exhibition, Myth & Magic; Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, has started with the grand opening date set for August 6th in Canberra. This long anticipated event will be followed the next day by the annual OAS Forum, hosted by the NGA, focused on the Sepik and its world famous art. The Society’s gala dinner will be on that evening. OAS members are urged to plan ahead for what promises to be a great occasion and a highlight of the year for connoisseurs of Oceanic art.
This edition of the OAS Journal features a report on Ross Bowden’s Savage Club lecture; Krisztina Turza’s account of her cultural odyssey at the Parcours des Mondes show in Paris; Tony Eccles’ fascinating analysis of Royal Albert Museum’s Oceanic collection in Britain, and an insightful review of Kevin Conru’s definitive work, Bismarck Archipelago Art. We also sadly mark the passing of Sydney legend, Senta Taft, with an affectionate obituary by Adrian Newstead, who will be delivering the next OAS lecture, An Historical Overview of the Development of the Aboriginal Art Movement, on March 11th.
President’s report
The Oceanic Art Society completed 2014 at our end of year meeting by awarding Honorary Lifetime Membership to Dr. Harry Beran and Elizabeth Pryce, in recognition of their services to the society and contributions to the pursuit and encouragement of the understanding of Oceanic art. In addition to their other notable contributions, Harry and Beth were the society’s founding president and secretary who, with other important colleagues, conceptualised and put the organisation into practical existence. The 2015 OAS executive committee was also elected at the AGM held at the end of year even event . Your members are David Welch (President), Dominic McGeary (Vice President), Robin Hodgson (Secretary), Rita Uechtritz (Treasurer), Crispin Howarth, Geoff Carry, Irene Ashburn and Jerry Liew. Jim Elmslie continues to provide editorial leadership over the journal. The committee are already well advanced with planning for the lecture programme, a tribal art fair and a forum in 2015 (see dates for your diary). The executive committee and journal team welcome your ideas and contributions in 2015