Ulli Beier and arts in Papua New Guinea

ULLI Beier contributed a lot to the documentation of the Indigenous Arts, as well as, influenced Creative Arts wherever he lived and worked.When he left Nigeria for Papua New Guinea, he worked with the then National Arts School in Port Moresby . He worked with the National Visual Artists and you could see the influence of Mbari in their Arts. One major contribution was that he laid the foundation upon which the Creative Arts Faculty was created when the then National Arts School was amalgamated with the University of Papua New Guinea in 1989. In laying that foundation he made references to the University of Ibadan Theatre Arts Department Academic Program Structure. His ideas were all series of hand written communication between him and the then Vice chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea . (It is Amazing, the kind of thing Prof Adelugba would do with his autographic hand writing).The Creative Arts Academic Program of  University of Papua New Guinea was pretty much structured among other things on Beiers recommendations. As recognition of Ulli Beiers contributions to the development of Creative Arts in Papua New Guinea , the New Creative Arts building donated to the people of Papua New Guinea by the European Union and UNESCO was named Ulli Beier Creative Arts Haus in his honour.Dr Esohe Omoregie, Joseph Anyanwu (Sanjay), Anthony Adah,  Myself, and other Creative Arts staff wrote and voted in favour of  the Building being named after him instead of the other two competitors. Our support was based on an in-depth study of his writings in laying the foundation for the creative arts as an academic programme within the University of Papua New Guinea.He and his wife Georgina attended the opening of the Building. He wore Buba designed out of Yoruba Indigenous Aderi. We all felt very proud. I remember choreographing a 25 minute Ritual Dance Theatre titled Goddess of light for the opening of the Building and in Beiers honour. He appreciated the recognition.  Beiers passing at the age of 89 should be a celebration on earth, while his soul rest in peace.Dr Iwueke-Inimgba, writes from Vancouver
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