No.1 Neighbour: Art in Papua New Guinea 1966-2016 presents work by artists from Papua New Guinea created from the mid-1960s, through Independence in 1975, until today. The exhibition highlights the vibrancy of contemporary artistic expression, a direction that is unique in Australia. A key concept throughout No.1 Neighbour is the importance of the ongoing relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea, with projects profiling ongoing creative relationships between communities and individuals.

A major new collaborative work a Bit na Ta (the source of the sea) has been commissioned from Australian musician, composer and producer David Bridie and popular Tolai musician George Telek, with the involvement of the wider Tolai community based in East New Britain. Other highlights include a new multimedia installation by Australian-born Chimbu artist Eric Bridgeman, focus selections of work by pioneering women artists Wendi Choulai and Mary Gole and the spectacular Koromb (spirit house) ceiling by Kwoma artists from the East Sepik region — a work commissioned by the Gallery for The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art in 2012–2013.

Image credits
Image one: Unidentified Artist / Papua New Guinea / Baining people, East New Britain / Kavat mask c.1994 / Gift of Carole and Natacha Murphy in memory of Geoff Murphy through the Queensland Art Gallery / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery
Image two: Wendi Choulai / Papua New Guinea/Australia 1954–2001 / Motu Koita people, Central Province / 105 Skirt 1996 / Courtesy: Aaron Choulai
Image three: Kwoma Arts / Koromb (spirit house) (detail) 2012 / Kwoma Arts / Papua New Guinea est. 2012 / Kwoma people, East Sepik Province / ANTON WAIAWAS Team leader b.1952 / REX MAUKOS Collaborating artist b.1964 / KEVIN APSEPA Collaborating artist b.1971 / SIMON GOIYAP Collaborating artist b.1973 / TERRY PAKIEY Collaborating artist b.1974 / NELSON MAKAMOI Collaborating artist b.1982 / JAMIE JIMOK Collaborating artist b.1982 / Purchased 2012. Queensland Art Gallery / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery / Photograph: Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA