Painting Item Number: 3527/9 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 is divided into two horizontal sections. Upper section has groupings of three or four lines spaced throughout; circle with triangle painted in top right corner. Lower section consists of rows of triangles, decorated with horizontal lines. Top row of triangles connected to second row with vertical lines, second and third row separated by wide band with protruding vertical lines, and third and fourth row have curved "X"'s and plain lines in between them. Bottom half of painting is divided into two sections, each with similar pattern; division is three plain lines through middle. Pattern consists of wide bands, made up of three or four lines, curving across surface; smaller groupings of plain lines throughout. 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.