University of Goroka rewards contemporary art

Vice chancellor Dr Gairo Onagi, artist Apa Tengere, New Guinea Fruit Company owner James Watson and Dr Susan Cochrane at the awards ceremony

ARTISTIC talent was recognised and rewarded at the University of Goroka (UOG) with the presentation of the winning entries for the Live Lave Art Awards competition earlier this month. In a follow-on from the first art exhibition initiated by the UOG for the 2008 Coffee Festival, this year’s competition was, for the first time, sponsored by local Goroka-based business New Guinea Fruit Company Limited.
Special guests from Australia and Port Moresby were invited to judge the entries.

Renowned Australian art scholar and researcher Dr Susan Cochrane, chief executive officer of the National Museum and Art Gallery Simon Poraituk and Dr Nicholas Garnier from the University of Papua New Guinea were pleased with the depth and variety of entries for the awards.
Vice Chancellor of the UOG, Dr Gairo Onagi, said: “UOG believes in working together with the community and showing the talent of our people.”
He said he was grateful to New Guinea Fruit Company as they had financially aided the university by giving such an opportunity to people in the arts of PNG.
Dr Onagi appealed to other businesses to help UOG continue to showcase PNG art through such sponsorship.
He also highlighted that UOG was searching for funds to construct its own art gallery in the near future.
New Guinea Fruit Company owner James Watson said he was very happy and had a big belief in UOG and the artists.
He also confirmed that Live Lave would continue to sponsor the awards.
Maria Kopkop from the National Museum and Art Gallery committed Kopkop College to sponsor the encouragement award for the next five years as part of the Live Lave Art Awards at UOG, to encourage further artistic development from young artists.
At the awards, first prize in the painting category went to Southern Highlands artist Apa Tengere, with his artwork entitled Huli Culture.
George Sari came in second place, with his painting entitled Creation of Gahuku Tribe.
The encouragement award went to Kelly Gauwe.
There was a tie for the printing category by Bunesito Thaross (artwork entitled Customary Wealth) and Joelyn Korong.
Entries for the competition came in paintings and prints from all over PNG, totalling to 26 pieces. In an innovation to recognise and preserve contemporary art, the artworks are now part of the university’s permanent collection.
The awards night was attended by the UOG staff, students, partners and the local business community who were all interested to see the artworks and to witness the presentations for the winning entries.