“Bubblegum” and “Mudman” / When I first visited the highlands of Papua New Guinea, I learned that the region’s many tribes live by the mysterious dictations of the spirit world. The annual Sing-sing brings them all together to honor each village’s heritage, spiritual practices, and art. Participants spend hours getting ready to perform in traditional dances and rituals, donning intricate headdresses and masks like the ones worn by the legendary Asaro “Mudmen.” After taking in the whirlwind of color and beautiful designs, I had to laugh when two young boys suddenly surprised me with a pop of bubblegum. Both of these images, one full of playful mischief and the other steeped in powerful tradition, embody the incredible sense of joy and pride inspired when people come together to celebrate diversity. Visit the link in my bio to inquire about each of these pieces and view my full print catalogue. #papuanewguinea #culture #tradition #celebrate #singsing #mounthagen