Lila Gama (Misaso)
Born 1941 in Savodobehi, Papua New Guinea. Lives and works in Lives and works Godibehi, Papua New Guinea.
Lila Gama (Misaso), butötu'e ohu’o siha’e (spider webs and fruit from the trees), 2008 natural paint dyes and charcoal on barkcloth 154 x 104 cm. Courtesy David Baker Family and Annandale Galleries, Sydney Copyright © the artist, courtesy Ömie Nemiss Incorporated
Lila Gama (Misaso) is the Paramount Chief of Ömie Women and belongs to the Ematé clan. She was taught to paint by her grandmother, Joyce-Bella Mujorumo and her mother, Eronay Atai for important feasting ceremonies.
Lila Gama loves to teach Ömie people about their traditional culture and history, and about the origin of Ömie art and symbols. She is currently teaching young artist Hilda Sirorivevo how to paint Ömie designs. Lila is married to the duvahe (Chief) of the Emat é clan men, Nathan Gama. Her work has been exhibited in 'Wisdom of the Mountain: Art of the Ömie' at the National Gallery of Victoria International, Melbourne and 'Cloth That Grows on Trees' at the Textiles Museum of Canada, Toronto.