Artist Statement: Valik is the name for a family of malagans, and is also given by Edward Salle as the name for the figure depicted in this piece. Everything in it belongs to the sea. Edward summarizes its story:
“The Valik travelled from one place to another. On the way, a fish attacked him. Instead of the fish killing him, the Valik killed the fish. Then he brought it home to his friend, and they made a very big feast.”
Sculptures showing a human figure being swallowed by a fish commonly signify death (compare with the rightmost portion of Katir). The Valik’s victory here is an intriguing contrast.
The narrow, diamond-shaped design at the top shows a tungsiv shell (described as “growing on a stone”- possibly a barnacle) in front of a mataling, or “eye of fire” design. The mataling is sometimes described as the glow of a hot ember. It represents the intergenerational life force. In front of the Valik is a flying fish. Such fish accompany him as he travels over the water.
Valik
Edward Salle
Papua New Guinea
Lava Village, Tatau, Tabar Islands
Wood (Alstonia sp.), snail shell (Turbo petholatus), black paint
(kalapuyim tree charcoal), brown paint (charred eel excreta, called
tar), yellow paint (kebit tr
48" X 7" X 5"
2008
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