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Presented by Aboriginal & Pacific Art in association with Ömie Artists, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea.

ILMA UGIOBARI & FAMILY: Sacred Ömie Mudcloths and Initiation Rite Paintings

Ilma Ugiobari (Ömie; born c.1968) is one of Papua New Guinea’s most esteemed living female artists. She lives and works with her extended family in her village, set in a remote valley in the mountains surrounding the Ömie’s sacred volcano Huvaimo (Mount Lamington). As the eldest born daughter of venerated artist, Sarah Ugiobari, Ilma is now a matriarch in her own right. She is the foremost wisdom holder and practitioner of the ancient Ömie artform of sihoti’e nioge (mud-dyed barkcloth)—a sacred women’s tradition which originates from the first female ancestor, Suja, as detailed in the Ömie Creation Story.

Alongside Ilma, her brother, Onesimus Ugiobari (Ömie; born c.1974), and his wife Bibira Ugiobari, will exhibit some exciting new nioge (barkcloth) pieces. Onesimus is the leading cultural authority and master artist of the Ujawé initiation rite body designs, with an extraordinary artistic repertoire inherited from his mother, Sarah Ugiobari. We are delighted to present this new suite of exceptional nioge works by Ilma and her talented family.