Plumes and pearlshells
Have fun exploring the exhibition Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands and make some art of your own.
Drawing from the Gallery’s collection, this exhibition presents body art, weapons and sacred objects from the New Guinea highlands. Natural materials are used in creative and meaningful ways in all these works, showing the artists’ great respect and understanding for the environment.
Works in this children’s trail
- Timbu wara (ritual spirit figure)
- Yupini (fertility figure)
- Moka kin (mounted pearlshell for moka exchange)
- Gaheisi (ceremonial dance banner)
- Mask for initiation ceremonies
- Holosa (mud mask)
- Gɨlɨmihɨnya (shield and arrows with net bag)
- Headdress
- Man’s necklace
- Kund gale (effigy)
About our children’s trails
Our children’s trails are available online or as free printed booklets/sheets at the Gallery. They are designed to engage young children aged 6-12 with selected objects and images in the Gallery and our exhibitions. They present looking and interpreting, drawing and writing activities for children to do in front of the art with extension ideas for activities away from the Gallery.
Many of these suggestions can be adapted for use at home or in the classroom, even if you can’t visit or the particular artworks are not on display.