About the AMAA @ UST

The AMAA @ UST constitutes one of the most comprehensive collections of Asmat art in the United States. Located on our St. Paul Campus it provides students, faculty, staff and surrounding communities with opportunities to learn about traditional and contemporary Asmat art and culture, as well as current challenges for the Asmat artists. Today economic, societal and environmental issues influence art production in diverse ways. Schools interested in having a speaker from the AMAA @ UST come to visit should contact Dr. Julie Risser 651-962-5512.

The Asmat live in the dense forest region of southwest Papua, Indonesia. The environment in which artists work varies from remote villages to Agats, a more urban center. While Asmat artists obtain materials primarily from the forest, today materials such as strands from woven plastic bags and the contents of batteries are sometimes integrated into production processes. While imported goods expand the range of materials accessible to artists, some products such as batteries threaten the environment. Visitors to Agats frequently comment on the problem caused by plastic bottles being tossed off of walkways into the water, however, spent batteries and burned out CFLs pose a much higher risk as the toxic elements contained in these products leach into waterways. 

Thanks to Father Vincent Cole of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for taking the scenic route from Agats to Sawa and making this photo possible. Photo by Julie Risser October, 2009