AMBRYN ISLAND, VANUATU

Much of the art of central and northern Vanuatu in the southwest Pacific is associated with grade rituals, a hierarchical series of initiations, each of which confers successively greater religious and political authority during life and in the realm of the dead. In some areas, individuals who have reached the highest grades are considered the living dead, having already achieved the status of ancestors.

Men’s and women’s grade rituals exist in most areas, but sculpture is created almost exclusively for men’s grade rites. This figure is carved from fern wood, the fibrous trunk of a tree fern composed of aerial roots surrounding a woody core. During the grade rites, grade figures are erected on the dancing ground and serve as temporary abode for the spirits associated with the grade. After the ceremony, the figure, its purpose served, is left on the dancing ground, its supernatural powers waning as it slowly disintegrates. Collected soon after it was used ,this retains portions of its original paint.

Crafted from the revered and locally sourced woods of the Ambryn forests, each piece bore the unique touch of its creator, making them as much a work of art as a spiritual artifact. The stylistic influences of the carvings, particularly the large eyes and nose, draw from the traditional beliefs that the eyes are windows to the soul and the nose a pathway to the breath of life, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, insight, and the life force. These artistic choices reflect the Ambryn’s respect for the natural world, seeing the divine in every aspect of their environment. The carvings stand as a testament to the Ambryn's belief in the interconnectedness of all beings, serving as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, and as a cherished heritage of their enduring legacy.

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