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Contemporary DanceNew Drawings Seashells New Prints SketchbookNew Sketches |
Papua New Guinea,
Tuam, Male Dancer
Acrylic
610 x 430mm
24" x 17"
Papua New Guinea,
Trobriand Islands
Female Dancer
Acrylic
610 x 430mm
24" x 17"
Papua New Guinea,
Tuam, Female Dancer
Acrylic
610 x 430mm
24" x 17"
Papua New Guinea,
Trobriand Islands
Male Dancer
Acrylic
610 x 430mm
24" x 17"
click on images to enlarge
Four Female Dancers
from Tonga
Watercolor
320 x 430mm
17" x 12"
Vanuatu, Ambrym,
Dancers and Drummers
Watercolor
305 x 430mm
12" x 17"
Papua New Guinea,
Ali, two Female and
a Male Dancer
Acrylic
610 x 430mm
24" x 17"
It is fascinating to see how people of different cultures move to music. In some cultures traditional dance is a sharing of information, teaching, telling of stories or reinforcing the social structure. In others, dance is a form of religious practice, a spiritual pursuit, and a dialogue with gods and ancestors.
There is a big difference in the purpose and motivation of Polynesian and Melanesian dance. In Polynesia, dance is not religious, while in Melanesia it often has a spiritual meaning, the movements are rhythmic and repetitive, and dancers are usually also the musicians. In Polynesia, the dancers are not the musicians, the choreography is varied and dance moves visualise the lyrics of a song or theme.