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Alcheringa - Fine Tribal Art of the Northwest Coast, Papua New Guinea, and Australia



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Matthew Wasaku ( Iatmul ) - Figure with Cuscus
Figure with Cuscus
Matthew Wasaku
(Iatmul)
Kaminibit village
Papua New Guinea
2008

wood, shell and natural pigments
Height 17"

$900.00 CDN


CAT# KA0801
contact us for more information.

This piece is sold. Contact us to inquire about commissioning a work from Matthew Wasaku, or refer to our Commissioned Works section.

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The cuscus is a slow-moving, nocturnal marsupial found in rainforest areas of Papua New Guinea. It feeds mainly on fruits and leaves and is closely related to the possums of Australia. Cuscus are tree dwellers, about the size of a domestic cat, with a prehensile tail, that is, one which is capable of grasping things.which proves useful as they move around branches.
They can be black or brown but those most often seen on the Sepik are the Spotted Cuscus which are white,orange and yellow.
Often kept as pets they are also hunted for their meat or fur. Their fur is sometimes used as decoration for art works and head dresses for ceremonial occasions