A dynamic exhibition exploring the frequency of ‘double ups’ in Papua New Guinea material culture opens at The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum this Friday (February 5) and runs until April 9, 2010.
Curated by Dr Diana Young, a material and visual cultural specialist, the exhibition features pairs and twins in everyday things as well as other kinds of ‘double ups’ from the visually complex and remarkable performance traditions of Papua New Guinea.
Drawn from The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum Collection the exhibition will showcase 50 art works including shields, carvings, masks, bark cloth, dance costumes, clothing and photographs from the collection.
According to Dr Young the exhibition presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary work by New Guinea artists and the fabulous collection of the Museum.
“This show is a celebration of a rich variety of objects and art works of great visual complexity, imagination and skill, most of them created during the middle and early years of the twentieth century.
“The exhibition captures the wonders of the Papua New Guinea material culture and we feel very proud and fortunate to be the guardians of such unique and precious artefacts. We look forward to sharing the collection with the community,” Dr Young said.
The exhibition will officially be opened by Mr Paul Nerau, Papua New Guinea Consul-General in Queensland and Northern Territory and will run from February 10 to April 9, 2010.
Exhibition details:
Venue: The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum
Level 2 Michie Building
The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus
Official Opening: February 5, 6pm
Exhibition Dates: 10 February to April 9, 2010
Gallery hours: Wednesday to Friday 11am-4pm
For more information about the exhibition please contact Dr Diana Young on djbyoung@uq.edu.au or call 3365 1210 or 0415 719 672.
About the Anthropology Museum
The University Anthropology Museum houses a significant collection of ethnographic material, numbering 19,000 artefacts and 5000 photographs. It is the largest university collection of ethnographic material and visual culture in Australia and includes unique and rare items. Just under half of the collection comprises things created by, or relating to, Aboriginal Australian culture groups and individuals. An equally large section of the collection is derived from, or concerned with, diverse Pacific peoples. There are also smaller complementary collections from Africa, South-East Asia and China.
The Museum was formed in 1948 by Dr Lindsay Winterbotham’s donation of his own collection of over 1000 objects, prior to the establishment of an Anthropology Department at the University. Added to over the years with bequests, donations, purchases and student and staff contributions, the Museum continues to grow.
