Kaluli Dancer Papua New Guinea tribe (1 Viewer)

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I first made this figure about 35 years ago. This PNG tribe dancer had a spectacular headdress comprising an upturned U wooden frame festooned neatly with white and black feathers. He had a lot of long grass tucked into his back. I made the long grass from thin plastic strips but was never satisfied with the effect. The drum is also not correctly held in the right hand.

I have decided to refurbish the figure. The piece was reattached to a new base and all the long plastic grass was removed. The drum was also refitted and the skirt is being resculpted.

 

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The figure is being refitted carefully. I am also substituting most of the original details which were all made in melted plastic which can be brittle.

 

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The dancing cloth was resculpted and added to the front and back from putty. The drum position has been readjusted upwards.

 

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The base was carefully built up with crushed gravel.

I painted the white feathers and then added long grass tucked into the back of this figure. These were long aquarium grass, tied in a bunch to create a bend and placed for 30 seconds in hot water and then cooled. Each strand was then snipped off and attached to the back of the figure.

 

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Red feathers were trimmed and then added as tucked into the waist band.

 

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I have finally taken better photos without the lurid yellow background for your enjoyment.

Rgds Victor