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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.

Description

Rectangular piece of barkcloth with abstract geometric and linear designs painted across surface; done in black. Top half of painting has a central design of connected triangles and diamonds; all are decorated with diagonal lines. "X"'s, stars and plain lines throughout. Main design is trimmed with wide bands along top and bottom edges. Top band filled with diamonds; negative space between diamonds and edges of band are filled with diagonal lines. Majority of diamonds have stars in their centres. Bottom band has a zigzag running through the middle; negative space between zigzag and top edge of band are filled with diagonal lines, bottom section is empty. Bottom half of painting is covered in rows decorated with groupings of vertical lines; "X"'s in between groupings throughout design. Back of barkcloth is undecorated.