'Nineo' Naqualeya, Goodenough Island

Place Oceania: New Guinea1, Papua New Guinea, Papua, Papuan Islands, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Goodenough Island
Accession Number ART96163
Collection type Art
Measurement Sheet: 26.2 x 19.5 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description pencil on paper
Maker Curtis, R Emerson
Place made New Guinea1: Papua New Guinea
Date made 1944
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Description

Profile portrait of man drawn on Goodenough Island.

In 1942, Curtis was appointed Officer in Charge of Camouflage in New Guinea. As well as recording the activities of the Australian and American troops, Curtis took every opportunity to visit local villages, creating a series of portraits of Papuan Islanders. Several of these drawings were used to illustrate short articles Curtis contributed to the Australian magazine 'Walkabout', and provide insight into the experiences of local civilians working for Australian troops or displaced by the conflict. Generally, the articles were observations on 'native' life, including marriage, wood carving, and body adornment, however Curtis also commented on distinguishing physiological features of individuals from different tribes.

Curtis was appointed as an official war artist in March 1945, covering the civil and industrial war effort in Australia.