Where to collect traditional art in PNG

Heya, I'll be travelling to Port Moresby, Kimbe, Rabaul and probably New Ireland in July. Any recommendations on where to buy beautiful local carvings and art in any of those places?

Looks like there's not many shops around but not sure if certain villages, guides, contacts are good places to start.

Thanks!

I haven't seen any such places in Kimbe or Rabaul (New Ireland isn't known for its carvings) so Moresby should be your best chance.
I often found that higher class hotels had a good art shop in PNG, but as I haven't been to the capital, can't make recommendations for that city.

all these areas were colonised in 19thC and the local culture on the main island are pretty extinct
from missionaries and plantations - especially new ireland where only on the outer islands do you find
traditional celebrations and carvngs

you will find tourist art and trinkets but even this is not in abundance as there are few tourists

around rabaul they still make the large masks used in the fire dance but i am not sure how real these
are or if just for tourists

you need to go to the sepik or the highlands to find people still using traditional methods and motifs
who have a direct connection to the pre-contact period

Mmm good to know. @majordom any thoughts on Milne Bay vs New Ireland? Is it a more diverse destination?

(New Ireland isn't known for its carvings)

I meant to write New Britain isn't known for carvings.
New Ireland is known for its unique Malangan carvings.

On New Britain fire dancing with masks is still performed by the Baining people in traditional context - I frustratingly missed one such event by half a day in. A mountain village.
But Rabaul and Kimbe are definitely not traditional.

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