Niugini Brushstrokes exhibition

By DON WOTTON
V isitors to the recent exhibition of artworks titled ‘Nuigini Brushstrokes’ produced by Port Moresby’s street artists in Brisbane were greeted with a kaleidoscopic fusion of colour and pattern.
The exhibition was hosted by the Royal Queensland Art Society gallery at Petrie Terrace, Brisbane from Feb 25 to March 11.
Officially opened by Dessie Timi, the PNG vice consul in Brisbane, the exhibition attracted a large crowd of art enthusiasts and others keen to see the talent displayed and meet with visiting PNG artists, Albert Ipu, Gima Segore and Laben Sakale John.
Thirty-two artists showcased their work and of the 125 paintings and drawings exhibited 43 artworks found buyers, with over 20 selling on the opening night.
The exhibition curated by Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS) member Don Wotton, a former employee of Elcom (PNG Power) was brought to fruition via a crowd funding video featuring artist Gigs Wena which raised K7,000 in public donations from around Australia and as far afield as California, USA to help defray the cost of gallery hire and the framing of the works for hanging.
Notable visitors to the exhibition included Justice John Logan, Lady Judith Bona, Frederic Berjot, manager of Urban Paradise Gallery Wooloongabba, Belinda McCartney, editor of PNGAA, Kerry Cook and Dr Marilyn Fisher.
Many visitors returned to the gallery with families and friends for a second and third viewing during the two-week exhibition period.
Among the artists whose work attracted particular attention were: Albert Ipu with his pastel and pencil wildlife drawings; Gigmai Kundun with his charcoal and ink portraits; Elizabeth Kauage with her comic acrylic painting of PNG seasonal fruit pickers; Apa Hugo with his acrylic painting of birdlife; Michael Mage and Laben Sakale Jonh with their works produced with palette knives and Gima Segore with his water colour artwork.
Bruce Gei and Andrew Nombri intrigued many visitors with their unique painting styles while Maik Yomba captured everybody’s imagination with his creative painting of planti liklik kakaruk.
A warm reception was again accorded by RQAS members to the visiting PNG artists who joined with them in life drawing and water colour classes during their stay.
So enamored were they by the artworks on display that several RQAS members plan to visit PNG later this year to participate in a cross-cultural workshop and share experiences as artists with Port Moresby’s street artists.
Daily life can be a struggle for the many self-taught artists in PNG who rely on sales from passing tourists or at periodic craft markets, to earn an honest living.
However, interest in their efforts by the RQAS demonstrates that there are clearly many latent tourism opportunities and other commercial ventures that can be built around art embraced by the street artists of Port Moresby and elsewhere in PNG.
These opportunities should not be overlooked and it is a pity that no formal gallery space is currently available to artists in Port Moresby to collectively showcase their work and exchange ideas to foster their talent.
Based on the success of the Niugini Brushstrokes 2018 and the earlier Nine Mile Smiles 2017 exhibitions, the RQAS is keen to host annual exhibitions of artwork by Port Moresby street artists.
It is planned that the next exhibition be held in August – September 2019 allowing more time to promote the exhibition and produce and an even bigger display of PNG talent for gallery visitors.
Having more artists travelling to Brisbane to showcase their work and participate in workshops alongside RQAS members will greatly enrich their talents and strengthen international partnerships between the respective arts communities.
Don Wotton is a member of the RQAS.