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Daniel Waswas (Chair)
He is the current Chair of the Pacific Arts Alliance - a celebrated Papua New Guinean Fine Artist, Educator and the Founder of GalleryPNG. He completed a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and a Bachelor in Art & Design from Whitecliffe College of Art & Design, Auckland, New Zealand. Daniel has been exhibiting in some of the major International Exhibitions eg, The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia and The Latitudes 2005 - Terres du Pacifique. (Contemporary Art from Pacific) Paris City Hall (hotel de Ville de Paris). His artworks are collected by both private and public Institutions namely, Museum of Confluences, Lyon. France, Museum de Rochefort, France, Australian National Gallery (Print Dept). Australia, Museum of Ethnology, Frankfurt. Germany and Tjibaou Cultural Centre. New Caledonia
Daniel is a celebrated Papua New Guinean printmaker and founder of the recently established Gallery PNG in Boroko. He is also the recently appointed Director of th PNG Institute of Arts and Communication.
He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, Auckland, and a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland , and has exhibited in Papua New Guinea , New Zealand , the UK , Australia , USA and New Caledonia , including several solo shows. Waswas was a key speaker at the Fifth Australian Print Symposium, where he discussed contemporary printmaking in Papua New Guinea.
In his artistic practice, Waswas addresses concerns regarding the divisions and tensions that ensue as a result of the enormous cultural diversity which exists in PNG. He advocates solidarity and mutual acceptance as a means of providing cultural enrichment and stability. The vivid colouring and patterns of his work are sourced from the tribal body paint of Papua New Guinean highlanders, and make reference to the contradiction between their menacing appearance and the increasing fragility of their culture.
"Our art is our pride, our roots, our life. When we have no roots, then we have no pride in our own culture and in turn, our country. ... A country with a lot of cultures tend to bring barriers among the people, so I intend to represent the main symbols whilst considering harmony, belief, Christian values to bring cultures together. Basically to share and work together in understanding one another."
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