Alcheringa gallery presents Modern Malagan Masters

 Salle, Sisia, Xomerang: Modern Malagan Masters
July 16 - August 14, 2009
Alcheringa Gallery, Victoria, British Colombia

New Ireland is renowned for its elaborate carving tradition
centered aroun d malagan, ritual commemoration of the dead.
This exhibition focuses on three carvers and their artistic heirs.
Edward Salle and his son Matthew are from Tabar, Ben Sisia and
his sons Robin and David are from Libba, and Michael Xomerang
(now deceased) and his former student Ali Elias are from Medina.
These senior artists' tremendous contributions to malagan culture
span nearly sixty years. Their sons continue to teach, promote,
and perfect their art.

Malagan refers not only to objects associated with traditional
mortuary ceremonies, but also to the whole ceremonial apparatus
of the culture itself, involving months of preparations, great
expense, and complex exchanges between all levels of society:
individuals, hamlets, villages, clans, and moieties. Malagan
commemorates the dead and makes sure their souls are properly
taken care of. At the same time, it helps the living to forget
them by reweaving social fabrics torn by their absence.

Further reading in the exhibition introduction can be found at:
http://www.alcheringa-gallery.com/exhibit.html/v5/83/

The full catalogue is available online, please note that all works are subject to pre-sale.
http://www.alcheringa-gallery.com/exhibit.html/v1/images/v5/83/