Lila WARRIMOU (Misaso), Design of the moon, pig hoof-prints in the garden, fruit of the Sihe tree, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill and spots of the wood-boring grub, 148 x 84cm (irregular), Natural Pigments on Nioge (Woman’s Barkcloth Skirt)
The exhibition, ‘Sublime Wisdom of the Ömie Masters: The Final Release of Works by Brenda Kesi (Ariré) & Lila Warrimou (Misaso)’, follows on from the momentous show, ‘The Art of Isawdi (Fate Savari)’, which ReDot Fine Art Gallery presented in 2021/2022, in Singapore and then to critical acclaim at Delmar Gallery in Sydney. This new exhibition features six rare and previously unreleased mud-dyed barkcloth works by Brenda Kesi (Ariré) [born circa 1937], along with twelve similarly unseen, barkcloth works by Lila Warrimou (Misaso) [born circa 1944], who is the Paramount Chief of Ömie women.
Imbued with beauty and sacred meaning, the art of these Ömie elders gives us insight into one of the most naturally pristine regions of Papua New Guinea’s remote interior. The beautiful and at times hypnotic designs of their paintings also greatly expand and enrich the known parameters of abstract aesthetics beyond the often centralised views of modernist abstraction. The pure talent and artistry of these Ömie women, as witnessed in the breathtaking visual poetry of their art, leaves one in absolute awe.
When: 1 Aug - 1 Sep 2023,
