From Library Journal
Originally published as a $45 hardcover in 1981, this book is essentially a collection of photographs of New Guinea natives decked out in their finest paint, feathers, and jewelry. They use their own bodies as a canvas on which to create art. A lengthy introduction by anthropologist Andrew Strathern explaining the significance of self-decoration, however, makes this volume more than just an interesting browse. "As scholarly a work as it is beautiful" ( LJ 12/1/81), this is a worthy addition to both photography and anthropology collections.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Book News, Inc.
Originally published in 1981 by Viking Press. Photographer Kirk made seven trips to New Guinea between 1967 and 1980 taking hundreds of photos. Of these, 62 stunning portrait photos and 31 photos of rarely seen New Guinea masks are presented along with an extended essay by anthropologist Andrew Strathern explaining the context of the elaborate face painting and body decorating depicted in the photos. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.