Artist Statement: Artist's Statement

"The carvings on the post illustrate two myths from our people. The first is about the crocodile called Mandangu who flooded the village called Kumbuibuge. At the time the village was flooded by Mandangu, a woman was caught by the crocodile and taken away. At the back of the post can be seen her brother Kambomowemari and her sister Kambomowemang. Also can be seen running along the sides a carved representation of the crocodiles which are traditionally woven from cane and used in singsings. A human skull is also visible representing an actual skull of an ancestor which is in the care of elder Nicklos Mandangu. The skull of the woman who was caught by the crocodile can also be seen. The second myth illustrated in the post relates to the eagle Emangawi and Kaprimangawi. The eagle has been hunting and eating the people of one of the clans in our community, the Masam clan. The eagle is made out of cane and is used in singsings and festivals. The birds, snake, tree spirit, and other faces are drawn from other clans in the community. I cannot say more about these as I have the right to carve them but I do not own the stories. The major figures on the post belong to my clan, Bowinangusme."

-Lucas Tangun

Translation into English by Titus Swei. Titus has also worked as assistant carver on the post. He is a teacher at the village school in Tambanum.

Note: The above photo of the full pole is shot with the piece reclining on an angle away from the camera. Unfortunately, our ceiling in the gallery isn't high enough to permit photographing the pole in its fully upright position.

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