Jacks of PNG’s 2024 Design PNG Competition announced their winners on Thursday May 23rd at Jacks of PNG, Central Waigani in Port Moresby. Competition began on the 22nd, February 2024 and closed on March 31st marking the competition’s fourth year.
Out of 383 entries, the winners: Mike Joseph from Mt. Hagen (absent), Lele Leonard Hanul and Solomon Waibaru from Madang, were the lucky recipients of K2, 000 and were also entitled to K10, 000 in royalties.
Both artists had the honour to explain their designs to the audience and customers present.
Lele Leonard Hanul explained his three designs which he names, ‘The Great Fisherman’, ‘A Great Warrior’ and ‘Design of the Oro Butterfly’.
“The design of the Great Fisherman demonstrates how the fisherman equips himself with his fishing gear and mode of transportation (canoe) while on a fishing trip.”
“The next design, which is the design of a Great Warrior, shows the warrior dressed in his traditional attire – his headdress includes the Bird of Paradise.”
The third design he explained shows the bird wing butterfly from Oro Province.
Solomon Waibaru stated that he took inspiration for his design from artefacts. “The selected design was a necklace design which can be found in Milne Bay Province where you will see dancers wearing such similar designs during dances.”
Presently, Jacks has worked with 11 designers in PNG and roughly of K160, 825 have been paid out in royalties. Asiani Vagi, who is part of the PNG Olympic Committee, in her opening remarks stated that it was a delight to see such talented individuals in PNG.
Participants whose design did not make the final three will have their designs returned to them or they can have their designs destroyed in the presence of a police officer.