Interview with Michael Mel
I enjoyed many challenging discussions with Michael Mel over the course of ten days in Goroka, where he continually rearranged his comically busy schedule to help me prepare a shipment for Hailans to Ailans. Two things struck me about this extraordinary man. The first was that despite his tremendous commitments as a father, artist, university [...]
Initiation
“This piece depicts one of the processes that take place prior to the initiation practiced by my people, the Bena Bena, and other neighbouring tribes.
“When boys reach their teens, they’re gathered and kept in the haus man (men’s house). Inside, these young men are taught everything they must know for survival in the future. While [...]