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Mermaid c.2012

Artwork Mermaid this artwork made of Bag: cotton and synthetic thread on rice bag with cardboard insert and cotton lining, created in 2010-01-01
Accession No.
2014.010
Date Created
c.2012
Gallery location
Not on public display
Department
Pacific Art
Dimensions A
62.5 x 24 x 6cm
Media Category
Fibre
Medium
Bag: cotton and synthetic thread on rice bag with cardboard insert and cotton lining
Place Created
Papua New Guinea
Credit Line
Purchased 2014. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation

Handmade string bags known as bilum are a cultural icon of Papua New Guinea. The popularity and economic value of these bags have been harnessed by charitable organisations to help local disadvantaged people. Male inmates of Bihute Jail in Goroka, Papua New Guinea, use rice bags woven from synthetic materials as a canvas on which to embroider iconic motifs and slogans drawn from life outside the prison. Money earned from the sale of these bags allows them to buy small personal items. Sospen Wai’s work speaks of a desire to be reconnected with life outside.
 

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Stories featuring this object

A detail view of strands of necklace made from green maireener shells
RISING VOICES

ENDURING KNOWLEDGE

Read DIDACTIC
A close-up installation view of a Papua New Guinean bilum (bag) suspended in a bright gallery space, with a visitor blurred out in the distance

Bilum: A cultural icon

Read ESSAY

Exhibitions featuring this object

A view of works installed for 'No. 1 Neighbour', QAG, October 2016 / © The artists / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

‘No. 1 Neighbour’

Oct 2016 - Jan 2017

'Rising Voices' at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London, May 2025, guarded by Michael Parekōwhai's Kapa Haka (Whero) 2003, and with glimpses of headdresses by Ken Thaiday Snr / © The artists / Image courtesy and © The V&A, South Kensington

ON TOUR: Rising Voices

May 2026 - Jan 2027

Other works from this Department

Artwork Yambi kwat (support post) from "Koromb (spirit house)" this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on carved blackbutt, created in 2012-01-01

Yambi kwat (support post) from "Koromb (spirit house)" 2012

Artwork Whoen kwat (king post) from "Koromb (spirit house)" this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on carved blackbutt, created in 2012-01-01

Whoen kwat (king post) from "Koromb (spirit house)" 2012

Artwork Sinsu this artwork made of Pandanus, natural dyes (noni root), wild banana leaf, created in 2018-01-01

Sinsu 2018

Reproduction requests

Images of artworks on this website may be used for research, study and other related exceptions as defined by section 40 of the Copyright Act 1968 (as amended) without applying for specific permission. All other uses of the content of this site (where applicable).  Refer these requests to reproductions. For more information, see copyright and reproductions on the QAGOMA website.