The female Ömie artists draw inspiration from the local landscape as well as traditional Papuan tattoo designs. They range from senior figures, such as Brenda Kesi, to younger artists, such as Flora Oviro. Each artist works in their own recognisable style – Kesi uses appliqué while Oviro paintgs using a grid pattern – but they all work within the Papuan tradition of barkcloth painting. These paintings were – and in some areas still are – vital to ceremonial and social aspects of Papuan culture.

Provenance

Omie artists