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The Midnight Sun tested by heavy seas

John Kasaipwalova, Massim people, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
The Midnight Sun tested by heavy seas
 1979
from the Sail the Midnight Sun series 1979

Medium
earth pigments on wood

Measurements
52.0 × 144.2 × 7.5 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 2003
© the artist

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

 

About this work

This panel is the fifth in a series of fourteen relief sculptures made in 1979 for the kesawaga (dance drama) Sail the Midnight Sun, at the Raun Raun Theatre, a prominent Papua New Guinean cultural venue. The play was based on a 1973 poem written by activist and artist John Kasaipwalova, while the sculptures are based on a traditional Trobriand Islands story about a culture hero called Yolina, the Midnight Sun, and his adventures. As a series, Sail the Midnight Sun can also be read as a metaphor for Papua New Guinea’s journey to modern nationhood.

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
2003.176.5

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

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Yolina is born at Muruwa

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Yolina grows up on Fergusson Island

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Yolina consults oracle

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Yolina bids farewell

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Midnight Sun's quest continues at Gumasila.

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The quest is unsuccessful at Kiriwina

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Midnight Sun fails to find woman of Moons at Kitava, Iwa and Gawa Islands

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Midnight Sun lands at Muruwa

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Midnight Sun meets and marries Imdeduya, the most beautiful woman

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A son is born and christened Yolina

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Midnight Sun kills their son before fleeing Muruwa

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Midnight's shipwreck caused by sea witches

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Midnight Sun rescued by the sacred sword fish

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