Like almost all cultures, Art is of great importance in PNG culture. The meaning and consumption of art has changed in recent with a greater emphasis on tourism and economics.
Papua New Guinea, as other indigenous culture are, is an object of exoticism and fascination for Western upper society. Artists in PNG continue to create art, but not with new aesthetic criterion and intent. Now, artists attempt to articulate and communicate their home, themselves and the materials importance, but in the way that they percieve Westerners to expect of them.
Modern PNG Art Consumption:
http://www.univenter.com/art-artifacts_png-art.html
This is an attempt to create a contemporary arts scene beyond economics and tribal art. There are few museums in Papua New Guinea. It is hard to find a market, since most of the natives are not that interested and cannot afford to buy art. Also, foriegners are interested in tribal art much more than they are interested in the contemporary art of a people.
http://www.niuginiarts.com/?gclid=CJCk4pzOn4kCFRp-SAodJ33rOA