PNG Mendi (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Hi All,

I rediscovered this forgotten piece in my hoard made many years ago. This comprises two Papua New Guinean figures of the Mendi tribe getting ready with their headdress finery for a Sing-Sing festival. Most of the basic sculpting has been done and I will finish off the headdress with real feathers and foliage. Should be fun.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I built up an elevated groundwork from a few pieces of cork and wall putty.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I resculpted the dancing aprons and the figures were cleaned up and the faces painted.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

More cleanup of the figures continued. Malleable copper wire was wound round the necks to represent coloured beads.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

The copper wire was undercoated in dark brown and the rest of the figures were also painted. The next stage is the fun part - to "dress" the figures in foliage and feathers.

Rgds Victor

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Helo Victor,
another nice one - looking forward to see the final result.
Kind Regards
Wolfgang:salute::

 

[blaster]

Hello Wolfgang,

thanks for your comments. I am starting to dress the figures.

Mendi facepaint typically has red and yellow markings. The men are covered in ash and grease oil and sometimes, the women are covered in white ash and clay for specific rites. The headdress is known as a koi wal, and appears to be shared by several tribes in the area.

My scene represents a pair of dancers getting ready for a sing-sing.

The foliage is being made from brass sheets and plastic leaves. The photo is a bit washed out as I use flash on a close up shot.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I've completed the painting on the figures, the face paint and the skirts. Also painted the groundwork. Will now be adding some more foliage to the finery.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Red feathers were trimmed and added to the man's headdress. Grass flock was added to the groundwork which is being built up.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I was building up the groundwork on this piece whilst working on the other figures. I didn't realise that I hadn't taken any progress shots yet. Anyway, here's an updated picture.
So far, I have added a sapling trunk, roots, more foliage, brass-etched leaves and ferns (to the woman's headdress, too). I placed the drum into the scene.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

Had a great time over the weekend. I finished painting this piece. Here are the final pics showing the groundwork all round.

rgds Victor