PIKSA INDEPENDENCE
-
Dates2025 - Ongoing
-
Author
- Location Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea
On 16 September 1975, Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, the commonwealth country that had maintained authority over its northern neighbour since 1906. Piksa Independence is an ongoing series of photos made by young Papua New Guineans.
A collaborative photography project with journalism students from the University of Papua New Guinea
On 16 September 1975, Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, the commonwealth country that had maintained authority over its northern neighbour since 1906. 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of Independence for Papua New Guinea, a milestone that was widely celebrated across the nation.
To mark this commemorative occasion in PNG history, photographer Sean Davey mentired 11 journalism students from the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Papua New Guinea on a project to document Port Moresby using 35mm cameras with black and white film. Working on and around the 16th of September, Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day, participating students photographed celebrations, sing-sing performances and cultural shows, as well as contemporary daily life in PNG’s capital city.
Piksa Independence (Picture Independence) was all of the students’ first experiences using film photography. With enthusiasm and excitement, the students documented Independence Day celebrations around the city, as well as daily life in their communities. The resulting images, made from personal experiences and observations of PNG youths, provide a unique and historic visual record of Papua New Guinea 50 years on from independence. Before returning to Australia, Sean left two cameras and another 20 rolls of film with the students. The initial project of photographing Independence Day has been widened to build a communal series of photographs of daily life in Papua New Guinea's capital city, Port Moresby.
Photographers: Gino Kopa, Jerma Lepani, Manna Patemo, Manuel Hercules, Norlin Lawrence, Salome Hames, Velma Elyambu, Yael Fofoe, Bruce Sawere, George Aikon, Eric Robin. Mentor: Sean Davey
