This traditional spoon was made from coconut shell that was collected in the early 20th century. The sculptor carefully created a face or mask design with patterns on the top back part of the spoon handle and then continued the decoration down the sides. The patterns along the handle with small holes and the overall style of decoration is representative of, and symbolises, the people of the Papuan Gulf.

The traditional paints the sculptor used to paint the designs onto the spoon may or may not be the same as the paint that’s used for painting wood sculptures. The artist applied traditional painting inlay techniques with the carefully precision so as not to lose painted detail on the artwork too quickly. In our village, the traditional spoon was made of tree bark and my grandparents split up bamboos to make small knives for cutting meat and other food. We all have different traditional customs and beliefs that gradually change from time to time.

Pax Jakupa, February 2023