Catfish Clan Figure

19th - 20th century

Papua New Guinea , Guam River region, probably Breri or Igana people

Human and catfish anatomy are joined here. Catfish spikes appear on the figure’s back and whiskers on its face, while the legs come together, thereby honoring a powerful mythic ancestor. Women were not allowed to see such figures—they were kept in clan houses and positioned to watch over male initiation rites and preparation for marriage.

Wood and polychrome

51 x 4 1/2 x 5 in. (129.5 x 11.4 x 12.7 cm)

Gift of Mark Groudine and Cynthia Putnam

2020.5.2

Provenance: Collected by [Barry Hoare, Madang, Papua New Guinea], late 1960s; Allen Christensen Collection; sold to Mark Groudine, Seattle, Washington, 2009; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2020

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Pacific Currents, Mar. 15, 2015 - Apr. 22, 2018.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Pacific Species, Dec. 12, 2022 - ongoing.

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