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Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden: A Slice of Sepik River Culture at Stanford

Discover the captivating art and culture of Papua New Guinea in a serene garden setting on the Stanford University campus.

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Nestled in a grove of oak and cedar trees on the Stanford University campus, the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden offers a unique glimpse into the art and culture of Papua New Guinea's Sepik River region. Created in 1994 by visiting artists, the garden features over 20 sculptures carved from wood and stone, depicting ancestral figures, creation myths, and cultural traditions.

A brief summary to Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit on a weekend for a better chance of finding parking on the Stanford campus.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Cantor Arts Center and Rodin Sculpture Garden for a comprehensive art experience.
  • Take a free public tour offered by the Cantor Arts Center on the fourth Sunday of each month.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Menlo Park Caltrain station, walk northwest on Santa Cruz Avenue towards El Camino Real. Turn left onto El Camino Real and walk for about 0.5 miles. After crossing University Avenue, continue straight until you reach the Stanford University campus entrance. Follow signs towards Lomita Drive. Walk on Lomita Drive for about 0.3 miles; the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden is at 476 Lomita Dr on your right. This walk is approximately 1.5 miles.

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Menlo Park, take the Stanford Marguerite Shuttle. Find the nearest shuttle stop on Santa Cruz Avenue and board the shuttle heading towards Stanford University. Stay on the shuttle until you reach the stop for Lomita Drive. From there, walk up Lomita Drive towards the Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden, located at 476 Lomita Dr. The walk is approximately 5 minutes from the shuttle stop. The Stanford Marguerite Shuttle is free.

  • Driving

    From El Camino Real, turn onto University Avenue towards Stanford University. Continue onto Palm Drive, then turn right onto Museum Way. Make a left onto Santa Teresa Street, then turn left onto Lomita Drive. The Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden will be on your left. Parking is available along Santa Teresa Street and Lomita Drive for $1.25 per hour, enforced during weekdays.

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Discover more about Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden

The Papua New Guinea Sculpture Garden transports visitors to the Sepik River region through its collection of over 20 sculptures crafted by Papua New Guinean artists. Initiated by Jim Mason, a Stanford anthropology graduate, the garden was created during a unique cultural exchange in 1994 when ten artists from the Iatmul and Kwoma societies were invited to Stanford to sculpt and paint works inspired by their ancient myths and legends. The garden's layout, designed in collaboration with landscape architects, evokes the Sepik River environment, creating an immersive experience. The entrance represents the Sepik flood plain, leading into a 'forest' of sculptures and trees reminiscent of a traditional Sepik cult house. The sculptures are arranged in four zones, featuring a wooden eagle atop an ancestress, tall carved wooden poles, brightly painted Kwoma poles, and sculptures made from pumice stone. Each sculpture tells a story, reflecting the artists' cultural heritage and beliefs. The artists used simple tools and inherited techniques to carve the wood, which was imported from Papua New Guinea, and the stone, which was sourced from Mono Lake, California. Highlights include carvings inspired by Rodin's sculptures, 'The Thinker' and 'The Gates of Hell,' reinterpreted through Papua New Guinean mythology. The garden serves as a lasting example of cross-cultural collaboration and a testament to the rich artistic traditions of Papua New Guinea.

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