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Description

Rectangular piece of barkcloth with abstract geometric and linear designs painted across surface; done in black and dark brown. Top half of painting has a variety of shapes inside a diamond grid; negative space between grid and shapes is filled with horizontal lines or plain brown. Several shapes on left side of grid have linear and curvilinear motifs in their centres. Bottom half of painting is covered with an assortment of zigzags; some have diagonal lines and shapes protruding from them. Additional irregular shapes and linear patterns throughout zigzags. Back of barkcloth is undecorated.

Specific Techniques

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.