Crocodile Man: Contemporary Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC offers a rich and rare window into the visual culture of Papua New Guinea’s Sepik region with In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man: Contemporary Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, on display March 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017. Curated by Dr. Carol E. Mayer (MOA Curator, Pacific), this unique exhibition will showcase the most comprehensive collection of contemporary Sepik art in North America for the first time. In addition to highlighting the exquisite carvings of Papua New Guinea’s latmul people, the exhibition will delve into their economic, cultural, and spiritual connections to the river system, drawing urgent attention to the logging and mining operations that pose environmental threats to the region.
 
“The Sepik river – one of the largest river systems in the world – is remarkably beautiful yet seldom visited,” explains Dr. Mayer, In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man’s award-winning curator. “From my first visit, the awe that I felt for its natural beauty was quickly equaled by my admiration and respect for the more than 400,000 people who call it home – and who depend almost entirely on the rivers and forests for their livelihood. The way in which their artistic expressions extend from their natural surroundings must be seen to be truly understood. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to introduce their art and their stories; and to raise awareness around the environmental challenges the people of the Sepik region now face.”
 
In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man will showcase 27 enthralling sculptural works, created by upwards of 20 Sepik artists. Carved from wood, the strikingly beautiful pieces are ornately decorated with paint, sago fiber, cowry shells, and cassowary feathers. Inspiration for each sculpture is drawn from a number of sources, including ritual events such as initiation ceremonies, mythical beings who visit the villages at night, daily life on the Sepik river, and from ancestral stories of the majestic crocodile as the primordial creator. A sweeping installation of 100 hand woven flying foxes will also hang from the gallery ceiling, each one greeting visitors with a distinctive expression.
 
The sculptural works will be displayed alongside photographs and videos of the magnificent Sepik River. These complementary components, prepared specifically for the exhibition, will provide further context for the contemporary art and highlight the environmental risks from logging and mining organizations. The most notable and immediate threat addressed in the exhibition will be that of the Frieda Mine, where excavation will begin even as the MOA exhibition opens. Located near the Sepik headwaters, the possibility of mine tailings entering the river system poses a grave risk to the Sepik people’s economy, cultural identity, and way of life.
 
To complement the exhibition, MOA has programmed a series of enriching and immersive experiences. Details will be announced at moa.ubc.ca/crocodile-man as they become available. The museum is also publishing an exhibition catalogue brimming with full-colour photographs of the works on display. The publication will be available for purchase in the MOA shop.