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Famed for their rich sculptural traditions, the Abelam are one of the most numerous
and widespread groups in the Sepik area. They inhabit an area of floodplains
and hills which extend from the Sepik in the south to the foothills of the Prince
Alexander Mountains in the north. Although there are many commonalities, different
art styles can be recognized throughout the Abelam region. In the southern Abelam
region of Wosera, carvings tend to be narrow and have a strongly vertical orientation,
like this piece. Wosera artworks tend to be more sculptural than those of the
northern Abelam, and they depend less on the painted surface than on plastic
form for expressive effect. Sculptures such as this usually formed part of the
group of carvings which are part of the initiation rites known as "ulke" or
"kutagawa", according to the region (Schmid 1985:195). During the initiation,
artists arrange elaborate compositions of carved, painted, or plaited figures,
decorated with shell rings, feathers, flowers, and leaves, in the ceremonial
house. No explanation is given to the initiates, for the aim of these rituals
is to show them the secrets rather than to verbalize a meaning (Hauser-Schaublin
1991:6). Although cult figures of the general form of this example do exist,
this delicately carved object is with out equal as far as antiquity and fineness
especially in the facial features. Carved of a dense hard wood, these details
have been remarkably well preserved, although any trace of original pigment
and most of the projecting symmetrical hooks that would have extended outward
from the series of lozenge-shapes on the body are no longer present. See
Hauser-Schaeublin, Birgitta, "Abelam" in Terry E. Hays, ed., Encyclopedia of World Cultures: Oceania,
vol. II Boston: G.K. Hall and Company, pp 3-6. (1991); Schmidt, Christin Kocher
"Catalogue," in Suzanne Greub, ed., "Authority and Ornament: Art of the Sepik
River," Basel: Tribal Art Centre, pp. 177 - 210 (1985) |
