About the AMAA @ UST

Wowipitsj: Man, Myth, Legend runs through August 4, 2013. .  

Hours are

Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This exhibition explores how wowipitsj, master carvers preserve and celebrate oral traditions through their art. It is curated by art history graduate student Rachel Simmons.

 

The American Museum of Asmat Art is now on display in The Gallery, Anderson Student Center.

February 23, 2012 opening reception for the inaugural exhibition Deconstructing Eden Asmat Identity Rediscovered

Fall Gallery Hours:

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Friday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

The Gallery follows the University of St. Thomas academic calendar. It will be closed on the following days:

October  27 - 28     Mid-term break

November 22 - 25  Thanksgiving break

 

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 discuss Asmat art and culture should contact Dr. Julie Risser phone: 651-962-5512, email jarisser@stthomas.edu.

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.