Asmat Art and Artists

Remembering Adam Saimas

One of the best known and highest regarded carvers in Asmat, Adam Saimas, died on January 14, 2010 in Agats. During his career Saimas developed a carving style that emphasized grace and purposeful movement. Several of his carvings earned first or second place at the annual Asmat Art Festival. These are now on display at the Asmat Museum of Culture and Progress in Agats.
Saimas focused on small carvings toward the end of his career. In addition to creating sculptures that showed individuals engaging in activities such as fishing, drumming, or dancing, Saimas carved objects with sculptural elements that would appeal to visitors such as holders for ball-point pens and ash trays. Saimas showed interest in carving as a young boy and was already working with carving tools by the age of five. He retained his enthusaism for the art form throughout his entire life, carving beautiful works even when his vision was severly limited.

 

Fisherman and Dog
Adam Saimas
Wood, ocher, lime, beeswax, feathers, coix seeds, quill, bast string, rattan
32.5 x 8 x 26.5 cm (12.8 x 3.1 x 10.4 in)
2009
AMAA @ UST 2009.5.5

 

Accompanied by an alert dog, the man balances himself gracefully by gently resting a foot on one of the canoe gunnels. The decorated paddle as well as the armbands, legbands, belt and headdress may indicate the man is headed for a significant event. Photo by University Relations, University of St. Thomas.

Work in Progress - Figure with a Drum

Adam Saimas
Wood, mud
17 x 14 x 11.5 cm (6.75 x 5.5 x 4.5 in)
2009
AMAA @ UST 2009.5.3

 

Purchased before completion, this work shows how Adam Saimas blocked out a composition. Photo by University Relations, University of St. Thomas  

Featured Artist 

Primus Oambi (Awambi)

Primus Oambi with his sculpture that was selected for small carving category of the 2009 Asmat Carving Festival and Art Auction. Photo by Julie Risser 2009

In the photograph above Oambi is shown carrying his sculpture that features two women riding on the back of a turtle. Oambi (also Awambi) carved at least three pieces that are in the AMAA @ UST and were collected during the 20th century by Bishop Alphonse Sowada. In 2009 the AMAA @ UST purchased a sculpture of two women fishing by Oambi. Oambi carves a wide range of subject matter that includes forms inspired Asmat culture and Christianity.