| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART93026 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Framed: 125.8 cm x 101.8 cm x 4.3 cm; Unframed: 106.3 cm x 91 cm |
| Object type | Painting |
| Physical description | synthetic polymer paint and black marker pen on canvas |
| Maker |
Kawage, Chris |
| Place made | New Guinea1: Papua New Guinea |
| Date made | 1998 |
| Conflict |
Period 1990-1999 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Unlicensed copyright |
PNG and Australian Army combine task force
Description
A Papuan, wearing a headdress, receives a sack of 'Trukai' (Pidgin English for rice) from an Australian and Papuan soldier during the 1997 - 1998 drought.
The defence forces of both nations worked together as part of a Combined Task Force to provide drought relief air operations of food and medical aid to the people of Papua New Guinea. The operation was known locally as Operation Ples Drai (Pidgin English for Dry Place).
Chris Kawage (b. Gugulme, Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea) served in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force for 16 years. During this time, he worked with the Engineering Battalion and many of his duties involved his previously learned painting skills. While serving, Chris Kawage participated in four or five operations of what is known as ‘The Crisis’ between the PNG Government and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army.