A journey from the Pacific for tribal collection is ed hardy clothing

A tribal island of unspoiled rainforest and crocodile-infested rivers comes to a Totnes gallery this week, when the art and craft of Papua New Guinea goes on display

Hand-carved canoes with figures, masks which are traditionally used to ward off evil spirits, shell-lined bowls, hand-woven bags called bilum, jewellery and photographs, in a rare exhibition of art from the Pacific island in the UK It is believed to be only the second-ever in the UK. (Jewellery Silver Bangle).

The collection was put together by Wolfgang Hug, a Totnes resident who has spent two-and-a-half years teaching in Papua New Guinea

It includes photography by his son Max Hug Williams, and Max’s partner Lou Astbury They also fell in love with the country

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“It is the most amazing place,” says Lou “It is literally rainforests as far as your eye can see. tiffany heart ring There are no roads, we stayed at Lake Kutubu, and a lot of the photographs I took were of a lady from the village She’s standing in a canoe I also went to a ’sing sing’, a kind of festival which is like a party and everyone gets really dressed up”

Wolfgang’s collection of Papua New Guinean art started with the canoes, carved from a single piece of wood and up to two metres long They are traditionally hung up outside homes on the river “I fell in love with them,” he says “They are carved by a man called Jonas He carved me one, and then I put in an order for four, and another order for four and then another four. porsche design watches Jonas thought that Christmas and Easter had Ed hardy shirts come together. . “

The canoes, which were shipped back to England, are a common sight along the crocodile-infested River Sepik “Many people live along the banks of this river, and they have these canoes hanging in front of their balconies,” he says

“We are also showing different paintings and original prints from artists from Papua New Guinea, and we are showing sea shell jewellery”

There are also a collection of hand-carved wooden masks, brought back by Lou, which can often be seen in houses in Papua New Guinea “Everyone has masks, they use them in dances and hang them in their homes to protect the home They are stained with natural dyes”

Wolfgang hopes the exhibition puts across the contrasts of the country, an unspoiled place where spiritual beliefs are strong

“Papua New Guinea, by our standards, is very uncivilised,” he says “They are known for cannibalism and the tribal culture is still very strong and there are tribal conflicts, but the people I met were really nice and intelligent

They are very feeling people, and I think that comes across in their art and jewellery and also the bowls”

While English was the language spoken in schools, there are as many languages as there are tribes; Wolfgang estimates them at 800 It is an unwesternised culture, but one that is under threat from logging companies targeting the rainforest, and companies mining for gas and oil. Replica Juicy Couture Clothing

Lou hopes it will raise awareness of a beautiful country The exhibition is being visited by a representative of the Papua New Guinean High Commission later this month

All the items in the exhibition are for sale, supporting the makers back in Papua New Guinea. (Plating Ring).

Dreamscape, an exhibition of Papuan art, is at the Birdwood House Gallery, 44 High Street, Totnes until May 1 (started April 19) Open Monday to Saturday, 1030am – 4pm

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