PAPUAN GULF, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

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Along the shores of the Gulf of Papua on the southeast coast of Papua New Guinea, religious and artistic life was historically centered upon powerful spirits called imunu. These were nature spirits that were closely associated with specific locations in the local landscape, and they were intimately linked to the clan who shared their territory.

Papuan Gulf wood sculpture is primarily two-dimensional and typically shows details and features worked in low relief. Two of the region’s main classes of carvings are gope, oblong panels with vaguely humanlike designs, also known as spirit boards; and bioma, stylized figural images that are more clearly anthropomorphic. These objects acted as both depictions of and dwelling places for specific imunu. Communal men’s houses (ravi) contained numerous clan shrines that were home to the spirit boards, figures, and other sacred objects connected to the clans’ respective imunu.

This fine bioma shows a humanoid silhouette with mushroom-shaped head and neck, distended belly, and small, curved arms and legs. Characteristic of many imunu images, the face bears an agreeable expression of seeming kindness, showing benevolence to its clan. The wide eyes are watchful, implying a ready and preternatural awareness.