Australian Museum Debuts Commissioned Bilas Body Adornment Exhibition from Papua New Guinea
The Australian Museum (AM) is presenting 'Bilas: Body Adornment from Papua New Guinea,' an exhibition featuring 33 newly commissioned adornment pieces. This marks the first time such works have been specifically created for an Australian institution. The exhibition highlights cultural practices, such as the creation of 'mud men' masks learned from childhood in the Holosa region. It is accompanied by photography from Wylda Bayron. The museum also announced the upcoming opening of a permanent Pasifika Gallery in October, which will display more of its 60,000 Pasifika objects. The director expressed plans to host cultural representatives from three Papua New Guinea groups to discuss contemporary community issues and the new adornments.
Key facts
- The Australian Museum is exhibiting 33 newly commissioned Bilas body adornments from Papua New Guinea.
- This is the first commission of its kind for an Australian institution.
- The exhibition includes photography by Wylda Bayron.
- The museum's Pasifika collection contains approximately 60,000 objects.
- A new permanent Pasifika Gallery at the AM is scheduled to open in October.
Entities
Artists
- Jim Gahiye
- Wylda Bayron
Institutions
- Australian Museum
Locations
- Papua New Guinea
- Holosa region
- Laiagam District Enga Province
- Kagua District
- Koinambe, Jimi District
- Tonga