Trouble viewing this e-mail? You can view it online.
Dear friends:
We hope you can join us on Thursday, July 16, 2009, from 7-9 pm for the opening of Salle, Sisia, Xomerang: Modern Malagan Masters.
New Ireland is renowned for its elaborate carving tradition centered around malagan, ritual commemoration of the dead. This exhibition focuses on three senior masters and their heirs representing the finest of contemporary malagan sculpture.
Malagan refers not only to objects associated with traditional mortuary ceremonies, but also to the whole ceremonial apparatus of the culture itself, involving months of preparations, great expense, and complex exchanges between all levels of society: individuals, hamlets, villages, clans, and moieties. Malagan commemorates the dead and makes sure their souls are properly taken care of. At the same time, it helps the living to forget them by reweaving social fabrics torn by their absence.
The elaborate Katir by Robin Sisia is featured above. Below is a piece by Ben Sisia titled Nit xalaxala which means "marching mask", describing the performance style of this tatanua.
Further reading in the exhibition introduction.
The full catalogue is available online, please note that all works are subject to pre-sale.
UPCOMING: HAILANS TO AILANS
In the Autumn of 2009, a groundbreaking exhibition will showcase the work of a number of artists from the different regions of Papua New Guinea. Hailans to Ailans (Highlands to Islands in Melanesian Pidgin), will feature sculpture in wood and metal, performance and fibre art, and painting, including new work from Teddy Balangu, Tom Deko, Kaua Gita, Cathy Kata, Michael Mel, Martin Morububuna, Lucas Tangun, Michael Timbin, and Claytus Yambon.
This cultural project will promote global recognition of the meanings, values and diversity of Papua New Guinea contemporary visual arts. Further cultural exchange will be encouraged through the inclusion of work from artists of the Northwest Coast of Canada, including Leslie Sam (lessLIE) and John Marston of the Coast Salish nation. Part 1 of the exhibition will open on September 16 at the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in London, and Part 2 will open at Alcheringa Gallery on November 5, 2009. An extensive catalogue of work with artist interviews and essays by leading scholars will be available for pre-order in August.
A preview is now online at hailanstoailans.com.
NEW ARRIVALS
Visit our new arrivals page to view new pieces to the gallery including:
An Eagle Killerwhale Bracelet (above left) by Edward Joe, featuring a reversible silver center-piece and abalone shells, and a refined Eagle Pendant by Coast Salish artist Dylan Thomas. In Northwest Coast sculpture is an imposing Eagle carved by John Livingston and Joshua Prescott, and a beautifully carved and painted Rain Rattle by Angela Marston.
- Browse Northwest Coast graphic work | jewellery
- Browse Papua New Guinea sculpture | graphic work
NEW STAFF
Alcheringa is very pleased to welcome two new staff members this summer: Toby is studying art history at the University of Victoria, and has worked with the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Erin has a background in visual arts and art history, as well as indigenous law and governance.
Best wishes,
Elaine, Traute, Sarah, Toby, Erin and Dan
We respect the privacy of our clients and do not share email addresses with third parties.