FOREWORD

BY JENNIFER GUERRINI MARALDI

Prior to the first exhibition of their nioge (barkcloths) in 2006, the Ömie had little to no exposure beyond their homeland borders in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. Though this is an ancient art form, it has been, until recently, relatively unknown. For this reason it is a particular honour and privilege to be entrusted with this exhibition by the Ömie Artists.

These nioge convey something essential to human existence; a deference to elders and ancestry, a respect for the natural world and an interconnectedness with one another. Nioge are not an artefact, or the remnants of an art historical movement, but a dynamic medium with purpose in the day-to-day lives of those who create them. They are interwoven into Ömie culture itself and are used, amongst other things, as day-to-day and ceremonial garments.

This utilitarian aspect of the barkcloths is not separate from their artistic context. Both compliment each other. As Brennan King describes, the act of dancing in nioge, in part, informs the way they are designed. One of the most desirable qualities in a barkcloth is what the Ömie call buriéto’e when the design of the work generates a mesmerising quality, and the nioge “come alive with beauty”.

With this show, JGM Gallery has itself come alive with beauty and we are thrilled to be exhibiting these sublime works.