We Support: National Art Prize

Imagine a Papua New Guinea without paintings, photographs, drawings, carvings. We wouldn’t have culture; we wouldn’t have traditions; we wouldn’t have history. Our artistic culture needs to be celebrated and this is why we proudly supported the Grass Skirt Project’s Timothy Akis & Georgina Beier National Art Prize in 2019.

Art is a way we can communicate; it provides feelings and tells a story. Art in today’s society, provides outlets to people in tragic circumstances, like gender based and sexual violence. Women and Children are affected globally, and often use Art as a form of expression to overcome their painful and tragic experiences.

In looking to the educational element of Art, it is used to help young children with learning difficulties, it helps them to communicate and achieve a sense of wonder to be able to contribute and be part of a community where people can understand and interact with them.

The National Art Prize was not just about supporting and encouraging the thousands of talented Papua New Guineas. It was about saving our heritage and getting our communities to appreciate the value art provides for preserving our PNG culture. I could not be prouder to be supporting an organisation such as the Grass Skirt Project. They are working their magic on so many levels, to achieve great health and education outcomes by using what every Papua New Guinean has right in front of them, Sport, Art and our communities,” commented Sir Brian Bell Foundation CEO, Ms. Bronwyn Wright.

“We are a country of highly diverse and passionate people. We all love our families, but as in every community, we have challenges. These are everything from tragic circumstances, safety issues with violence, and often situations outside of our control where children are born with reduced learning capacities. These are all very sad situations; however, the National Art Prize is all about the positive. It’s about protecting our cultures, being expressive, showing our talents and learning how art can help and support communities on so many levels.”

Congratulations to the National Art Prize 2019 winners:
2019 Youth Category Winners
1. Laka Yau – Central and Southern Highlands
2. Kasi Nali – Port Moresby
3. Joyce Taumaku – Port Moresby
4. Haydee Olangi – Central and Manus
5. Marie Jane Avi – Oro and Gulf Province
6. Jeremiah Padapu – Morobe and Southern Province
7. Mellah Meyat – Madang
8. Irene Cassar – Central and New Ireland
9. Vaibhavi Desai – Lae
10. Meshach Rasman – New Ireland Province
11. Harold Walo – Central Province
2019 Open Category Winners
1. Noah Kawatalu – Milne Bay, Trobriand Island
2. Nebraska Jorel – Boyo Eastern Highlands Province
3. Michael Kaugage – Kompiani Ambuni, Enga
4. Julie-Meg Agerenga – Jiwaka Province
5. Dian Neah – Port Moresby
6. Raymond Jehoshophat – Hauvari Port Moresby
7. Alphonsa Haro – East New Britain Province
8. Simon Gende Gembogl – Simbu Province
9. Heia Atahu – Bougainville and Central Province
10. Murray Songan – Bougainville and Manus
11. Collynne Sira Parisan – West New Britain

For more information on the Grass Skirt Project and 2019 National Art Prize visit their website: www.grassskirtproject.org