Vicki Kinai

Vicki Kinai is from the Opeka Kaulamb Clan, from Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea. She is a Melbourne based Fibre Artist, Melanesian Languages and Cultural Trainer, Exhibitor, Performer and Teacher.  

A master weaver and bilum (string bag) maker, the national icon and symbol for all Papua New Guineans and a tradition passed on to Vicki by her mother, grandmother, and those before them.  It is vitally important to Vicki that she continues to keep this art form alive no matter where she is. Vicki has adapted the traditional bilum weaving technique to create wearable art and installations. Vicki is running regular bilum making workshops and classes in schools, community centres, arts centres and galleries throughout Victoria and Australia.

"Every piece I create tells a story, that connects me to place and land, whether it's a story about my current homeland of Australia or my birthplace of PNG.   Every creation has relevance and connection."