Edmund de Moundeford Primary School

At Edward de Moundeford, we related Papua New Guinean objects in carved wood to equally interesting carvings in the local church. The artist, Jacqui Jones, also encouraged foraging, and involved the pupils in making hanging objects using natural materials. On our return visit, the pupils looked at the way PNG objects were involved in storytelling, performance and dance. This was related to the local tradition of molly dancing, with participants dressing up in colourful and 'subversive' costumes. In the doll making workshop that followed, colourful costumes was also a strong feature.

Themes of performance, dance and costume were derived both from dance related sources in the cultural life of Highland Papua New Guinea and from the strong local tradition and school specialism of Molly Dancing.