Ivy-Rose Sirimi Papa New Guinea, Omie, b. 1974

"My painting designs were passed down to me through the generations - from

before my grandmother's time.”

Ivy-Rose is the daughter of the late Chief of Inorajé clan women Filma Rumono who was also a highly skilled barkcloth painter. Inorajé is a sub-clan of the Sahuoté clan and their homelands are centred around Jiapa and Duharenu villages. Ivy-Rose's father, Bartholomew Dehorumo, is an Ematé clansman from Duharenu village. Ivy-Rose's father-in-law Albert Sirimi (Nanati), the Assistant Paramount Chief of Ömie men has also taught her some important traditional Sahuoté clan designs from the Duharenu village area such as mairie jeje ijooho - the forbidden tree of Lawe's Parotia bird-of-paradise. She feels very fortunate to have inherited such special designs, that are unique to the Jiapa and Duharenu village area, and she speaks of their cultural meaning and significance with great affection.