Michael Martin Native of Oceania FIG. 1 (top): Headrest. Iatmul people, Middle Sepik (possibly Blackwater River). Late 19th/early 20th century. Ex Michael Graham-Stewart, London/Auckland. Wood, pigment. L: 55 cm. FIG. 2 (right): Michael Martin, Melbourne, 2016. 128 Tribal Art Magazine: What was your fi rst exposure to tribal art? Michael Martin: I have been interested in natural history, particularly birds, since I was very young. I fi rst went to Papua New Guinea in late 1979 as a medical student to work in the hospital in Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands. I have always been interested in birds of paradise, so my goal was to not only gain experience at the hospital but to also look for these rare birds. I have since been back several times and have now seen thirtyfi ve of the forty-two known species in the wild. During this fi rst trip, I got to know a little about the people of Papua New Guinea and see some of their art. At that time, I was offered only tourist pieces. Everyone said that all the old art had already been collected, so I didn’t even look for it. If only I knew then what I know now! There was still great art to fi nd, but it took people like Michael Hamson, who were able to venture deep into the fi eld, to fi nd it. After returning from New Guinea, I made an effort to see Oceanic art in museums, and my interest was kindled. Interview by Jonathan Fogel TRIBAL people By profession Michael Martin is a radiologist and by avocation a serious collector of New Guinea and Polynesian art. Because he is based in Melbourne, he is not an especially familiar face at auctions and galleries in Europe and the United States, but his reach is long, and over the last decade and a half he has developed a well-chosen collection of artworks that includes a number of noteworthy and iconic examples. He has a particular affi nity for objects that are early, masterfully rendered, and that demonstrate clear signs of use and care from their original owners. We had the pleasure of sharing a fi ne lunch with him on a sunny afternoon at an old bistro in Paris during the most recent Parcours des Mondes and chatted about his interests.
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