Whither Dayak Art.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Whither Dayak Art. |
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Author :
Michael Heppell |
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Abstract:
Dayak art is in the final stages of a slow terminal illness. It will pass away having contributed many beautiful objects to museums in the world. The objects are likely to remain curiosities because of the dearth of reliable information about them. In libraries one searches in vain for books on Dayak art, for none exist. Compare this state of affairs to other areas of the world. There are many books on African, Oceanic, American Indian, and south-east Asian art. The few thousand Aborigines of Australia have had numerous books written about their art; the few million Dayaks none. The art of the Aborigines is actively promoted and sold to collectors, museums and the like. Dayak art is not. Disinterest is paramount. Is it any wonder then that the art of the Dayak is under appreciated and undervalued both in the world at large and,more importanly, by the very people themselves, the Dayaks, in whose hands the continuation of some great art traditions absolutely depends? That Dayaks can and do produce major works of art is amply demonstrated by the prices that pieces can obtain in the major art auctions of the world. Major exhibitions devoted to Dayak art are held from time to time. One is planned later this year in Philadelphia; a second in two year’s time by the Museum of Mankind in Great Britain. Such exhibitions draw the attention of the world to Dayak art and generate an interest in it. For anyone stimulated to acquire examples of Dayak art, the interest is shortlived for the supply is now virtually exhausted and good modern examplesare extremely rare.
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Heppell, M. (1989). Whither Dayak Art. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XL (61): 75-92 |
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References
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