Allan Roman Reyes10/06/2015

Introductory Gallery, left side of Entrance

Ancestor Figure

Label InformationObject Name: Ancestor FigureMaterial or Medium: Wood, pigmentDate created: 20th centuryCountry or Region of Origin: New Guinea; Sepik RiverLocation in gallery: Introductory Gallery

Why was the object created? Ancestor worship is a large part of Sepik River belief and visual totems provide continuity between generations.

What do you want the students to learn? I want them to see that their realities may differ from another’s due to culture but connections to simple beliefs remain.

How does this object make you feel? Does it make you feel like it is watching over you if you look at it a certain way? Things you see in this museum were looked at different ways by their creators. Some were looked at with love and with reverence. Who knows what reverence means? It is a deep respect for someone or something. Remember that term when you walk through some of these rooms and you will actually feel what the makers felt when looking upon some of these objects. Now try thinking of this piece of wood as a grandfather or maybe an uncle watching over you. Do you see how just associating this piece of wood with someone makes you think of it differently? Can you describe something in your world now that may reflect this piece and belief?