At the end of the Expo, Steve Selby bought the remainder of the best collection of contemporary Papuan Primitive art ever brought to Europe, and hand-picked 250 pieces to be included in this particular collection. The remaining pieces were divided into smaller collections covering all of the many aspects of Papuan primitive art. The Fox Collection is the last to be sold and is also the best.
When Steve Selby formed The Fox Collection from the larger one, he wanted it to be different. So often collections of art or artefacts from Papua are framed around figures and masks, for which Papua is justifiably famous. What is often not understood and reflected in collections of Papuan art, is that the art is an intimate part of everyday tribal life. Everyday items from pieces of wood used for eating or stirring the cooking pot, to the cooking pot itself, are decorated. Weapons for hunting or defence from violence are decorated. Houses are adorned with designs and figures to protect those within. Even pottery, which is not usually long-lasting when in everyday use, must carry some type of design. The much sought after storyboards, which are a relatively new art form in Papua, are rich in design as well as unique story content. This collection includes representations of all these aspects of Papuan life, many of which other collections have neglected.
