Watabom (water bomb, depicting water bombing to fight the Australian bushfires during the 2019/20 bushfire crisis)

Watabom (water bomb) depicts water bombing to fight the Australian bushfires during the 2019/20 bushfire crisis. During the 2019/20 bushfire crisis approximately 100 Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel were deployed to Australia to support broader Australian Defence Force (ADF) efforts. Members of the PNGDF departed Port Moresby on Monday 13 January and to support Victorian communities as part of Operation Bushfire Assist.

Kuye Siune is part of a group of artists, whose works can be described as history paintings, telling the modern and contemporary stories of Papua New Guinea(PNG). The artist has painted her interpretation of the ADF providing bushfire assistance. Neighbouring PNG felt deep sadness and concern for the devastating loss of animals and their habitats which as seen in this painting with kangaroos fleeing the flames.

This work was made for PNG Tumbuna Visual Arts Association fundraiser for the Australian bushfires. As the Association has described it, Australia has always come to PNG’s assistance in times of natural disaster. PNG artists wanted to make a contribution in return through this fundraising exhibition to raise funds to assist those affected by bushfires in Australia.