Teddy Balangu
Artist Statement
Teddy Balangu was born in 1961 in Palembei Village,
where he has lived all his life. He is part of a large family
of artists and has been traditionally trained to carve
by his uncle. In 1995, he was one of twelve carvers
selected to spend six months in residence at Stanford
University, where he, along with other Sepik artists,
created a group of monumental works known as the
New Guinea Sculpture Garden.
In 2006, Teddy spent six months in residence at the
University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology
as the Andrew Fellow. During his stay, he
carved a clan post to be part of their new collection
of works by contemporary Sepik artists. This experience
was documented as part of the exchange between
the Iatmul and Coast Salish people in Killerwhale and
Crocodile, a film that also featured John Marston.