By JOSHUA ARLO
Port Moresby International School (POMIS) launched its ‘PNG Artists of Tomorrow” arts exhibition last Saturday.
The event is designed to bring contemporary PNG art to a wider public and the recent artwork presented by students from years 7 to 12. Art teachers as well as 20 local artists will also participate.
The school opened its doors to the public from yesterday until Friday between 10am and 3pm.
The purpose of the show is to showcase the talent and skill of POMIS art students and to provide an opportunity for them to work alongside that of professional artists.
The show is intended to bring students together with up and coming local artists, and forge new associations between the school and the artistic community.
Head of POMIS Arts Department Laura Swale said arts is valued and is the ‘heart and soul’ of the school.
“We wanted the students to feel part of the local art scene and build their confidence. It is also a good opportunity for local artists to exhibit and sell their work and encouraging talent is really what it’s all about,” Ms Swale said.
She said besides the visual arts, PoMIS also offered drama, teach music and allow the students to explore a broad range of media and techniques, which include drawing, painting, collage printmaking, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, video and digital photography.
She said that the artists selected to take part represented some of the most exciting new talent PNG had to offer.
“Their style and approach is progressive whilst retaining a flavour of the country and its culture. It is hoped that sales of artwork will boost and generate publicity for individual artists and contemporary PNG art as a whole,” Ms Swale said.
A competition will also be held for the best piece of student art work where viweres cast their votes and the one with the most votes will win K250 while the runner-up will receive K100.
She also thanked the adult artists who brought their art work for exhibit, adding that they were the ‘cream of the current art scene’ and POMIS was pleased to have their work on display.
Entrance is free of charge.