1993 APT1 Conference : Identity, tradition and change

TAPE 1 - SIDE B - INTRODUCTION FOR BERNARD NAROKOBI Thank you very much Kanaga. The third speaker this morning that I’m very happy to introduce to you is Bernard Narokobi. Bernard was bom in Weewak and educated in Papua New Guinea and in Australia. He holds a Law Degree from Sydney University and has served in a number of legal positions in Papua New Guinea. In 1987 he was elected to Parliament. He was Attorney-General from 1988 to 1992 and is presently Shadow Minister for Justice and Spokesman for Attorney-General matters. He has written numerous articles on Melanesian philosophy and social thought, religion, politics and law. In particular he is the author of three books, a number of plays, poems, all of which deal with culture and change in Papua New Guinea. He was also a Foundation Member of the National Cultural Council that set up cultural institutions in Papua New Guinea such as the National Art Schools, Museums and Art Gallery, The Institute of Papua New Guinean Studies and the School for Making Movies. He is still on the Board of the Museum and the Art Gallery Trustees. I’d like you to welcome Bernard. BERNARD NARAKOBI If we could have the lights please. I can’t see your faces when I’m talking. My talk will be in three parts, first a general talk on the history and background of Papua New Guinea, second on classical or traditional Melanesian art and third part will be a brief discussion on contemporary art of Papua New Guinea and concluding with about 11 slides which have been arranged for me, thanks to Ross of Townsville Art Gallery. The Townsville Art Gallery has put together a "luk-luk-gen", a look again exhibition of Papua New Guinea contemporary art and it’s been travelling throughout Australia and I believe it’s in some strong demand and it might be repeated in a new "Luk-luk-gen". I’m from a country within a stone’s throw of CASUALVARTGALL.TPl 24 May 1994