Gope Board

Artist	Unknown artist
Medium	wood, pigment
Size	1040 x 215 mm
Classification	Sculpture
Department	International Art
Subjects	boards (flat objects), carvings
Accession Date	Dec 1987
Accession No	C1994/1/237
Credit Line	Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1987

Description

Gope, kwoi and hohao are all terms for the ancestor boards that are made around the northern Papuan gulf. It is considered that this spirit board was made by the Kerewa people of Goaribari Island. The pair of eyes are under a widow’s peak design that leads down to the navel at the base of the carving. A feature of this area’s art is that the ancestor’s face is often the predominant subject. (Te Moananui a Kiwa, 2005)

Chartwell Notes

Please note: We have been unable to obtain direct approval for this image but we acknowledge the original maker. if the copyright owner is able to contact us, we will immediately respond. Regards Chartwell