A RARE photographic exhibition providing insights into life in Papua New Guinea before Independence is being showcased at Papua New Guinea University of Technology’s Matheson Library
The exhibition consists of 57 images that provide rare insights into the domestic and ritual activities of both Papua New Guineans and expatriates during the era surrounding PNG’s Independence.
The exhibition is being co-hosted by the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby and UNITECH.
The month-long David Eastburn Photographic Exhibition was launched at Matheson Library on Monday evening.
First Secretary of Public Affairs at the Australian High Commission, Paul Murphy, who represented the High Commission, said the photographs were taken by David Eastburn and titled ‘The Decade of Independence’, and captures images taken five years before Independence and another five years immediately after independence.
“For a decade, David Eastburn worked as a high school teacher in Southern Highlands and New Ireland provinces and travelled through isolated parts of the Southern Highlands, Western and Sandaun provinces,” Mr Murphy said.
“He was part of an exciting time that linked Papua New Guinea’s past and future and captured this through the lens of his camera.”
The exhibition presents a glimpse of the drama and diversity of the land and people of Papua New Guinea, in the snapshot of time leading up to and immediately following Independence in 1975.
“They are images that generally could not be captured by the casual visitor. The familiarity and personal connection between the photographer and his subjects as a result of his 20-year association with Papua New Guinea.”
Mr Eastburn now lives in Canberra.
Meanwhile, acting Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammed Satter thanked the Australian High Commission for initiating the exhibition and for inviting the University to be a partner to co-host it.
He said the Matheson Library had the capacity and capabilities to host such exhibitions and welcomed future partnerships with the High Commission and other organizations.
New Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw and Australian High Commission’s Honorary Consul in Lae, Phil Franklin and Mrs Franklin attended the low-key yet important event in the history of the country and Australia.
source: Post Courier – A rare exhibition…