Shopping local art

Hand made paper with block printing caught Kit’s eye one day while checking out the Numbawan Market, no surprises there. Both paper and printing blocks were made by Roy Tomson, a young artist from Erromango (a southern island in the Vanuatu archipelago). Kit visited with him (Roy's English was limited), and learned a little about how he practiced his craft. When Kit returned to make a purchase several days later, Roy wasn’t around, but his neighbor was glad to open up the display and make a sale for him. We have found that is the norm.  There appears to be a great deal of cooperation and trust among vendors.

Tongan students brought unpainted tapa cloth with them when they came to the University of the South Pacific Emalus campus (Port Vila)  http://www.usp.ac.fj/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_South_Pacific and local artists found a new medium they could paint on with their own distinctive designs. We found a shop where you could purchase plain lengths of tapa (bark cloth) for about $15/meter.

The international artist (see May 5 post), Nicholai Michoutouchkine’s mobile art is practiced by many local artists. Kit wanted a hand painted lavalava, but found the design he liked on a shirt. The artist/vendor said she could do that and maybe if he returned the next day she would have it to show.

When we returned the next day, there was the desired design painted on fabric sitting next to her sewing machine ready to be hemmed. Kit had hoped for a few more turtles... not to worry. We came back in an hour and the lavalava was hemmed, pressed, and sported four new turtles! 

You may notice that the mom is getting instructed on something when this photo was taken.  He is going to hate it, but it is the one I'm using, too classic a moment ... I've got to share.