Sydney Oceanic Art Fair Lecture by Lesley Wengembo – Saturday 6 November 2021

Lecture by Lesley Wengembo: CULTURAL IDENTITY, OUR GREATEST ASSET, 1pm

Due to Covid, numbers are limited and bookings essential.
VENUE: Cell Block Theatre | The National Art School (NAS) corner of Forbes & Burton Streets, Darlinghurst.
Entry to the Sydney Oceanic Art Fair is $5 public, $2 student at the door.
Lecture is $10 public, $5 student and may be purchased at the Cell Block Theatre
Ticket sales, together with a flyer and map are available at https://www.oceanicartsociety.org.au/event/sydney-oceanic-art-fair-lecture-2021/?mc_cid=63304f8265&mc_eid=675fb4acb4

OPENING HOURS: Doors will open at 9am with trading to cease at 5pm.

LECTURE:
Meet outside Cell Block Theatre at 12.45pm to be escorted to the lecture space for 1.00pm start.

About Lesley Wengembo:
I was born in Goroka in the New Guinea Highlands in 1997. I am currently studying for my Bachelor of Fine Art, at the National Art School in Sydney, I have always loved art, starting to draw at the early age of 5.
I was introduced to one of the pioneers of PNG contemporary art, the late Martin Morobubuna when I was 14, and have considered myself a ‘painter’ ever since, and for me it was an escape from some aspects of modern life.
In many rural areas of the PNG Highlands, there is poverty, lack of government services like water, and law and order problems, and many young people migrate to the cities to find better opportunities. However, city life is expensive and the life is hard. I love the village life, that is simple and beautiful, and much of this comes through in my paintings.
In the city, people become part of this modern globalised world, and forget their greatest asset — their cultural identity. I want to be part of the world, but also live within my culture.
For me, painting allows me to do this. And I hope my success will allow others to dream big, even living in a rural place like mine. I would like parents to encourage and support their children’s dreams whatever they may be — artist, singer, song writer, painter, musician etc.
This is the reason I love to paint faces of elderly Papua New Guineans. I am present at a time when life is changing. I am a vehicle to preserve and project my history in 100 years from now.