About the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden
Created in 1994, the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden brought
together artists from the Iatmul and Kwoma societies of Papua New Guinea's
Middle Sepik River region: Membor Apokiom, Teddy Balangu, David Kapa Kaipuk,
Yati Latai, Yarume Mambegawi, Kwospi Marek, Simon Gambulo Marmos, Naui Saunambui,
Jo Mare Wakundi, David Yamanapi, and Gutok Yantaka. Organized by Stanford anthropology student
Jim Mason, the garden served as "an opportunity to experiment with and
reinterpret New Guinea aesthetic perspectives within the new context of a
Western public art space."
Much of the garden is modelled after elements of a spirit house,
the center of village political and culture life. The main area of the garden
features three rows of poles that would normally support a thatched roof. Two
Kura's would have been placed on top of the roof, and many of the
other sculptures are ones that would be seen within the spirit house.
Sculptures highlighted in this installation
The Thinker (Yerakdu) by Simon Gambulo Marmos
The Gates of Hell/Opawe & Namawe by Simon Gambulo Marmos and Jo Mare Wakundi
Wanmi and Saw Hokwa by Naui Saunambui, Yati Latai, Membor Apokiom, Gutok Yantaka, David Kapa Kaipuk, and Kwospi Marek
Kwoma Spirit House Posts by Membor Apokiom and David Kapa Kaipuk
Kawatukit by Simon Gambulo Marmos and Jo Mare Wakundi
Kura by Simon Gambulo Marmos and Jo Mare Wakundi