No.1 Neighbour: Art in Papua New Guinea 1956-2016

121 FROM HERE №1 NEIGHBOUR ‘From here’ brings together Kevin Apsepa (Kwoma/East Sepik), artist and musician; Taloi Havini (Bougainville/ Hakö people), multimedia artist and co-founder of community-based, digital resource Pacific Black Box; and Florence Jaukae-Kamel (Eastern Highlands), artist and founder of Jaukae Bilum Products. The conversation explores some of the factors influencing these artists’ practices and the platforms they use to share their work with others. COLLABORATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ALL OF YOUR PRACTICES. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT ITS ROLE? Taloi Havini For me, this question raises a lot of interesting issues. In 1990, along with my parents, I left Bougainville due to the ten-year conflict. 1 Our family found it very difficult at first to adjust to living in Sydney. During this time, I studied in the Australian education system all the way to university. Separated from our clan, my parents devoted their lives to the wider Bougainville community by campaigning for political self-determination, human rights and various women’s movements. Since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, 2 my parents returned to live on our Nakas tribal land. Living in both Buka (Bougainville) and Australia, it has become evident to me just how strong our Hakö customs and chieftain system remain. It is ingrained in our DNA — you really have no choice but to collaborate, seek counsel, negotiate and maintain these very old relationships. Kevin Apsepa My cultural activity — working with other artists — is my birthright. This way of working was passed down through my ancestors and it comes through us. While working on the koromb (spirit house), we talked to other clan members to share ideas, to put the framework up, and to design the poles and panels. The koromb also brings different clans together in a sing-sing ceremony — the opening ceremony for a new koromb, Sing-sing for the opening of koromb, Tongwinjamb, East Sepik, 2013 / Photograph: Ruth McDougall