No.1 Neighbour: Art in Papua New Guinea 1966–2016

Overview

If there's one thing Australian television has taught us, it's this: everybody needs good neighbours. At the Gallery of Modern Art, they're contemplating that concept between October 15 and January 17. In fact, they're looking at one nearby place in particular.

No.1 Neighbour: Art in Papua New Guinea 1966–2016 assembles work made in the southwestern Pacific nation over a 50-year period filled with significant change. As the country evolved through various eras, including independence in the mid '70s, its resident artists explored their world with a critical and creative eye — and their relationship with Australia as well.

The exhibition marks the first time the gallery has presented a showcase centred on PNG of this scale, and features everything from colourful works on canvass to towering sculptural forms. Also featured is major new collaborative work a Bit na Ta (the source of the sea), from Australian musician, composer and producer David Bridie and Tolai musician George Telek, with the involvement of the wider Tolai community based in East New Britain. The immersive, distinctly Tolai cultural space draws audiences in with its soundscape, aka offers the perfect thing to get that soap opera theme you've been humming out of your head.

Image: GENDE, Simon; Papua New Guinean, Simbu Province, Highlands; Papua New Guinea b.c.1965; No 1 Kiap Australia Mr Jim Taylor I brukim bush long Highlands Papua Niugini (The first Australian Officer, Mr Jim Taylor, in an exploratory mission in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea); 1999; Synthetic polymer paint on canvas; 78.5 x 90.5cm; Acc. 1999.145; Purchased 1999. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation Grant.