Art of Northwest New Guinea

More about the book

On a map, New Guinea resembles a bird, with the Vogelkop extending west into Indonesia and its tail reaching east into Melanesia, as noted by ethnologist Simon Kooijman. This volume offers a compelling overview of the art from Northwest New Guinea, or Irian Jaya, showcasing around 200 remarkable objects used in rituals and daily life, primarily sourced from Dutch collections known since the 19th century. The interest of French Surrealists helped elevate these elegantly painted bark cloths and sculptural figures into the realm of high art. The book features essays by esteemed scholars in ethnology and art history, providing context for the works. Kooijman, Theodoor van Baaren, and Jac Hoogerbrugge emphasize the spiritual significance of art from Geelvink Bay, Humboldt Bay, and Lake Sentani. Elizabeth Cowling examines Oceanic art's influence on Surrealism, while Philippe Peltier shares the biography of Jacques Viot, a French art dealer who sought objects in the 1920s. Christian Kaufmann recounts Swiss explorer Paul Wirz's impactful travels, and curators David van Duuren and Dirk Smidt illustrate how missionaries and explorers collected a diverse array of objects from New Guinea, enriching Dutch museums.