I am a part of the Sainsbury Center for the Visual Arts and  it's Sainsbury 
Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, the Americas and Oceania. The 
University of East Anglia is a small university of about 7000 students, located 
in Norwich, a medieval city about a hundred miles north of London.  Its near 
enough to visit London occasionally but far enough away to enjoy rural 
England. 

Sainsbury Art Gallery has a wonderful collection of tribal art from all over 
the world, some pieces which are 3000 years old, and all  are priceless. 
Although there is a lot of Polynesian and Melanesian art in the collection, 
there isn't one piece of Micronesian art, much less from the Marianas.  But 
the center offers a wonderful library and excellent advisement on art and 
cultural theory, which is why I'm here.  I did my field work in Guam last year 
and spent a lot of time at the Micronesian Area Research Center, but SRU 
has given me the distance and theoretical structure I need to do my writing 
on ART AND IDENTITY IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS: ISSUES OF 
RECONSTRUCTING AN ANCIENT PAST.  That is the title of my 
dissertation, which I hope to finish by the end of March.  Then I stay on for 
my exams and my graduation in July. 

The Guam Preservation Trust is interested in my work for dissemination 
to educational institutions on Guam, and it is funding my research time here. 
Otherwise, it  would be impossible for me to live in expensive England.  The 
British Pound (£) is worth $1.68, and a pound goes just as fast as if it was a 
dollar.  In other words, the money doesn't go as far as it does in the States. 
But I think the experience is worth it and that Guam will eventually benefit 
from my research. 

I have been able to research museums which contain collections of Chamorro 
artifacts all over the world.  First I did a correspondence and e-mail search, 
followed up by actual visits to museums which actually have significant 
artifacts. My document begins with a thorough review of pre-historic 
Chamorro artifacts and their meaning and use according to what 
archaeological and historical studies have pieced together.  I have gathered 
photos of these artifacts which I think will be very useful for those interested 
in ancient Chamorro life to continue to work on piecing together a  
 lost past. 

Next, I researched and organized a summary of the Chamorro historical 
experience since western contact, based on the writings of early explorers and 
missionaries. I quoted from translations of original documents whenever 
possible in order to allow the reader to draw his own conclusions as to what 
the various descriptions meant, coming from outside sources who didn't 
necessarily understand the culture.  I tried to show how colonization 
 impacted Chamorro identity and how it transformed practices and art forms. 

Finally, I have documented the recent movement by contemporary 
Chamorro artists in which they are re-creating aspects of their ancient 
past. I interviewed many artists (who are my colleagues and friends) 
about their inspirations and strategies for reclaiming a lost past.  Their 
stories provide a fascinating look at the ways they are using their artistic 
creations to develop a  Chamorro identity linked to their ancient roots.  I 
have photos of current work by Chamorro artists which show links to an 
ancient past and show how creative and dedicated these artists are.  I think 
that my work confirms the importance of contemporary Chamorro art to 
both reflect and energize the current decolonization movement on Guam. 

I will be presenting two papers on this subject while I'm in Guam in 
February.  One presentation will be to the Micronesian Studies Seminar Series 
on February 19 at UOG, and the other will be at the Chamorro Studies 
Conference on February 25. 

Since I have returned to England in September I have put aside my Batik 
painting to concentrate on writing.  I look forward to getting back to it when 
I return home.  My most recent work from last year is in an exhibit in Long 
Beach, California, sponsored by the Guam Communications Network. 
  
 I would be happy to know of any mahalang expatriates living here in 
England.  There are none in our area, but perhaps there are a few in London. 

Write to: 
 Judy Flores 
 j.flores@uea.ac.uk  
 Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts -SRU 
 University of East Anglia 
 Norwich  NR47TJ 
 England 
 Fax:  (01603) 259 401