Mini Mudman

The Mudmen find their origins in the Asaro Valley in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. According to the legends of the Asaro people, the Mudmen were warriors who used mud to cover their faces, creating fearsome, ghostly appearances to intimidate their enemies. The masks, made from clay, ash, and other local materials, are designed to resemble ancestral spirits and evoke fear. For the Asaro people, the Mudmen represent more than just a tradition; they embody spiritual beliefs. The masks are believed to channel the spirits of ancestors, giving the wearer spiritual power and connecting them to the spirit world.

This piece was created using green, yellow and red, the colours of the flag of the Eastern Highlands. As a kid growing up, I spent much of my time in Asaro with my stepmother, who took me to the rivers and taught me how swim. It was during my time here that I remember being mesmerised by the mud man myth.

Dimensions:
60cm (h) x 60cm (w)

Medium:
Posca pen and acrylic on cotton duck canvas.