
Art & Australia has commissioned ni-Vanuatu weavers from Mataso Island (Shepherd Islands), Mataso-Ohlen (Port Vila) and Unakapu Village (Nguna Island off Efate's north coast) to create a limited edition commemorative basket. This will be offered for sale along with copies of the December issue of Art & Australia, which explores the themes and artists of The 6th Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT 6) at the Gallery of Modern art and Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane.
Due to economic circumstances, some Mataso Islanders have relocated to the satellite village of Ohlen in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila, and it is from these three recently dispersed communities that the edition has been made. The baskets are based on a traditional 'bible bag' design and have been hand-woven with local colours and a humorous mix of Bislama texts.
Edition details: Dye and pandanus, colours and dimensions variable. Edition of 100. $80 incl. the December issue of A&A and GST. Plus postage.
Call 1800 224 018 (Australia only) or +61 2 9331 4455 to order your edition.
With thanks to: Jack Siviu from Mataso-Ohlen for his role in coordinating the weavers; Newell Harry for initiating this project; Carl Amneus of Vanuatu Fine Art Prints Ltd; Roslyn Oxley; Amanda Rowell and the Queensland Art Gallery.
