Title
Jambukrikwaru (house post with owl face)
early 20th century-mid 20th century
collected 1965
Artist
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Details
- Other Titles
- House post, a head both sides at top
Post double head - Place where the work was made
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Timbunke Village
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Middle Sepik River
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East Sepik Province
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Papua New Guinea
- Cultural origin
- Iatmul people
- Dates
- early 20th century-mid 20th century
collected 1965 - Media category
- Sculpture
- Materials used
- wood, black pigment
- Dimensions
- 282.2 x 24.0 x 18.0 cm
- Credit
- Purchased 1965
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 392.1994
- Copyright
- Artist information
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Iatmul people
Works in the collection
- Share
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About
In earlier times, there was at least one 'geko' (ceremonial house) in every Sepik village. Today, clans that come from a common ancestor still construct a 'geko' together. The 'geko' contains ritual objects, including sacred flutes and masks, and is a meeting place only for men.
Carved from hardwood, this house post supported the floor in a 'geko'. The upper carving is from the owl totem clan and is described by artist Toby Wanaki of Tegowi village as the 'japmara mundama', or owl face, with the small ears of an owl clearly visible. When a new 'geko' is built, all the house posts are painted black, red or yellow, to celebrate the naming of the 'geko'. Remnants of black pigment are still visible on this 'jambukrikwaru'.
[entry from Exhibition Guide for 'Melanesian art: redux', 2018, cat no 25]
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Exhibition history
Shown in 1 exhibition
Melanesian art: redux, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 17 Nov 2018–17 Feb 2019
