Liklik Tubuan - Sun Kirap

Papua New Guinea is rich in ancient traditions and sacred rituals that continue to hold deep meaning today. I was invited to create a piece celebrating the Tubuan tradition from East New Britain in the New Guinea Islands, which led me on a journey to better understand its cultural significance.

What stood out most to me was the strong sense of identity still upheld in East New Britain, even as many parts of the country move away from tradition. The Tubuan, like many masks across PNG, is a powerful symbol of spiritual authority and deep connection to nature.

In this artwork, I’ve depicted the Tubuan using fiery tones—reflecting the volcanic landscape that defines the region. This piece is part of a broader exploration of PNG’s cultural stories through art. While small in scale, works like this are experimental studies that contribute to larger bodies of work focused on honouring and preserving our heritage.

Dimensions:
50cm (h) x 40cm (w)

Medium:
Posca pen and acrylic on poly cotton canvas.