Kwoma Arts is a group of seven artists from the Upper Sepik villages of Tongwinjamb and Mino, Papua New Guinea.

Anton Waiawas (b.1952) is a member of the Wanyi (cassowary) clan of Tongwinjamb village. Like many other senior Kwoma artists, Waiawas has a great interest in educating the younger members of his village. He has played a major role in Tongwinjamb teaching younger men the stories and skills necessary to create work for the koromb, as well as the ceremonies and rituals associated with the planting of yams.

Waiawas is also highly regarded as a performer and travelled to Japan in 2000 to carve new works for the Tobacco and Salt Museum in Tokyo, as well as the Kashiwazaki City Museum in Niigata. The most senior artist in the group, Waiawas is the only member of Kwoma Arts with the authority to carve the primary ancestor Yena figures and to lead performances.

Rex Maukos (b.1964) is also a member of the Wanyi (cassowary) clan of Tongwinjamb. He has created work for the korombs in his village, as well as works for sale at the annual Ambunti Puk Puk (crocodile) Festival. Like his brother Anton Waiawas, Maukos is a skilled performer and recently performed with Waiawas and senior artist David Kaipuk using Parima (fish masks) created by Kevin Apsepa and Daniel Kouminja for a Russian documentary on Kundu TV.

Kevin Apsepa (b.1971) was born in Ambunti to Tongwinjamb’s Wanyi (cassowary) clan. A dedicated spokesperson for Kwoma culture, Apsepa has created his own company, Kwoma Primitive Arts. He regularly exhibits work as part of the Ambunti Puk Puk (crocodile) Festival, and has been commissioned with his elder brother Daniel Kouminja to create works for organisations, such as the East Sepik Division of Education. Apsepa works are held in numerous private collections.

Simon Goiyap (b.1973) belongs to the Hamikwa (bird of paradise) clan. Born in Mino village, he is known and respected for his independence and industriousness. Living some distance from Mino village, Goiyap has created his own very striking koromb. He supplements the income he receives from hunting and farming crocodiles and wild pigs by selling works to tourists travelling down the Sepik.

Terry Pakiey (b.1974) was born in Tongwinjamb and belongs to the Tek (dog) clan. He has created work for korombs in the village, as well as for sale at the annual Ambunti Puk Puk (crocodile) Festival. Pakiey is well informed about his clan’s history, its myths and rituals.

Nelson Makamoi (b.1982) of the Guisemb (sea eagle) clan is the grandson of the clan’s chief Jordan Wukiua. A gifted artist, Makamoi has created the most visible and significant carvings for the new koromb in Tongwinjamb. He also creates more innovative interpretations of customary designs, as well as figurative paintings and carvings.

Jamie Jimok (b.1982) was born in Tongwinjamb village and, like Simon Goiyap, is from the Hamikwa (bird of paradise) clan. As Jimok is quite young, there are still restrictions on the stories that he is able to carve. Despite this, he is able to draw on a vast repertoire of designs and regularly creates work for sale.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

SAVE YOUR COLLECTION

CATEGORIES: