Painting Item Number: 3527/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Rectangular piece of barkcloth with various abstract designs painted across surface; done in black. Top half of painting has long columns along width, with smaller lines throughout interior; ladder-like design extends down from top edge, in centre of section. Groupings of plain and hooked lines are in between the columns. Bottom half of painting has wide bands, with smaller lines throughout interior, along right side. Two straight lines extend from middle of painting to bottom edge, along left side and down centre; arrow-like motifs along their lengths. Diagonal and curved lines extend from each straight line, connecting them together; groupings of plain lines and "X"'s throughout designs. Back of barkcloth is undecorated.
The barkcloth is made by men, beating a layer of tree bark until it is thin and pliable. Women paint the designs, which are often symbolic of their forested surroundings, using a mixture of charcoal and natural plant dyes.