Lakatoi Sculpture - APEC Haus PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Concept Design Image courtesy of Jim Fitzpatrick Architects

APEC Haus was commissioned by the government of Papua New Guinea and designed by Jim Fitzpatrick Architects to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meetings held in Port Moresby in November 2018. Following the summit, it serves as a world standard conference and exhibition centre. The architecture of the iconic building and the accompanying public artworks produced by Lump were designed to convey the important cultural traditions of trade negotiations in the region.

The Lakatoi Sculpture was developed in close collaboration with Jim Fitzpatrick Architects, the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) and Oil Search (PNG) Limited. The sculpture references the sails of lakatoi sailing craft traditionally used in trading expeditions to the Papuan Gulf.

The sails of the sculpture are positioned as if at full sail symbolising not only the vigorous trade and explorer expeditions of the past but also celebrating the trade traditions that continue today.

The sculpture stands 12 metres tall with its sails embraced by the curved roof line of APEC Haus which was also designed with inspiration from lakatoi. The outer frame of each sail is constructed from marine grade stainless steel and filled with strips of hand-woven copper which represent the fabric of the sail.

Chris Vassallo, Lump Sculpture Studio & Jim Fitzpatrick, Jim Fitzpatrick Architects.

For more information on APEC Haus in Port Moresby visit Jim Fitzpatrick Architects here.