Collection: Woodwork

Woodwork

In Papua New Guinea, woodwork is an important part of the culture, with many different types of carvings and wooden creations made by skilled artists. One of the most famous types of woodwork is the face carving and dancing figures, which are often used in traditional ceremonies. These figures represent ancestors, animals, or spirits and are carefully carved by hand from wood, showcasing the artist's skill and creativity. The carvings are often painted with different colours representing the cultural beliefs of the area they come from. Most of the woodwork is carved to tell stories and legends from all the areas in PNG

Another well-known type of woodwork in Papua New Guinea is the creation of canoes, especially the lakatois. These canoes were made from large trees and were used for travel and trade in the past. The process of crafting a lakatoi is a detailed and labor-intensive one, where people shape and carve the wood to create a strong, functional boat. These canoes are a symbol of life in coastal and river communities, representing their connection to the sea and rivers for both survival and tradition.