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Bubble Artefacts Oceanic Tribal Art Gallery

Culture Series Interview

Featuring

Caroline Yacoe

In Sept of l978 my late husband Donald Yacoe and I traded the islands of Manhattan for those of the Pacific. We had lived for many happy years in Sea Cliff on the North Shore of Long Island while he painted and was a Professor of Art at C.W. Post College part of Long Island University. However we were ready for a different life style and through a colleague managed to arrange a teaching exchange at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

When the warm tropical air hit us on deplaning in Honolulu I announced, “I’m not going back!”Now 40 + years later the beauty, climate and cultural diversity of Hawaii have all reinforced my decision. In spite of growing up in New York City and with parents of European background, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands are definitely home – may be “Past Lives” is an explanation, but whatever, I am most comfortable and happy in Oceania!

I had completed a BA in anthropology and photography at Post, so it seemed a good idea to continue with a MA in Pacific Islands Studies at U.H. While living on the East Coast I had traveled extensively in both the US, Central America and Europe but the but the art that drew me was the so-called “Primitive” works of Native America, Mexico and the First Nations of the North West Coasts. My first class in Oceanic Art was mind blowing and from then on Oceanic Art moved to the top of my list. We traveled the next summer to Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, different worlds from the one I grew up in. Then in 1980 we went to Papua New Guinea so I could do Field Work for my thesis: “The Survival of Traditional Art in the Middle Sepik River Area of Papua New Guinea.”  I remember standing in awe in front of my first Haus Tameran (Men’s House) where all the visuals of Gable masks, drums, ancestor posts, shields and carved animal totems came to life---so much for all the Nay Sayers who had tried to dissuade me from going by saying the art was all gone or corrupted!

Although my budget was very limited, my knowledge of the art and cultures was good and I still treasure pieces collected on that trip. Since then and for the last 60 years I have traveled throughout most of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia to experience their different cultures, collect art and make documentary films of ceremonies and rituals, which show the art and people in a cultural context. I have traveled alone to many very remote areas and almost always have been treated with courtesy and respect that I returned. Being an inherent Free Spirit, I was able to merge with people of all types and aside from missing COLD drinks I found life in villages to be very compatible and pleasant. Much more than in the Port Towns where there is a breakdown in the traditional way of doing things. Yes, they have different customs and ways of behaving but I am always amazed at the creativity and skill of people like the Marshall Islanders who make beautiful woven mats, jewelry and baskets from the most minimal of resources, and the magnificent huge drums, carving and architectural structures by the people of Melanesia.

I have taken liberties with the suggested interview questions but I’d like to respond directly to the last one: ”If you were to write a book about your life what would the title be and how would it conclude?”

The title would be “Next Time I’ll Dance” which is a reference to an occasion when we were filming “Faces of the Spirits: The Sulka People of Papua New Guinea “ in the Wide Bay Area of New Britain Island. The village women (bare breasted) but dressed in local finery of grasses, paint and flowers wanted me to dance with them so the special Hemlaut and Sissi masks would come out. Foolishly I was too intense on photographing the event and refused – a decision I regret to this day.

One thing I have learned however is: it is the things you DO NOT DO THAT ONE REGRETS! Also think outside the box, inside out, upside down, and bend the “rules” when necessary! Thank you and aloha all.

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Many thanks to Caroline for this personal insight into your amazing journey; and I know we have barley scrapped the surface! We look forward to hearing more of your expertise on the group chat alongside seeing pieces from your amazing collection!

Kind regards,

Warren Campbell

Executive Director

Bubble Artefacts Oceanic Tribal Art Gallery