Melanesian art is highly varied. In much of highland New Guinea, the body itself becomes a focus for art; face and body painting, wigs and headdresses, and elaborate costumes are all used. In lowland New Guinea, ebullient art traditions, like the paintings and carvings by such Sepik peoples as Iatmul and Abelam, have become widely known. The curvilinear art of the Massim style, of which Trobriand canoe prow boards and dancing shields are examples, has also attracted interest. The malanggan carvings of New Ireland are equally spectacular, well known, and relatively well documented. The latter, in contrast to the Sepik ...(100 of 5870 words)