Photo: D. Lepsoe
 

Teddy Balangu was born in 1961 in Palembei Village, where he has lived all his life. He is part of a large family of artists and has been traditionally trained to carve by his uncle. In 1995, he was one of twelve carvers selected to spend six months in residence at Stanford University, where he, along with other Sepik artists, created a group of monumental works known as the New Guinea Sculpture Garden.

In 2006, Teddy spent six months in residence at the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology as the Andrew Fellow. During his stay, he carved a clan post to be part of their new collection of works by contemporary Sepik artists. This experience was documented as part of the exchange between the Iatmul and Coast Salish people in Killerwhale and Crocodile, a film that also featured John Marston.