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Description

Rectangular piece of barkcloth with abstract geometric and linear designs painted across surface; done in black. Painting is divided into four horizontal sections. Top section is decorated with intersecting lines of varying widths; inverted triangle along top centre edge of band. Second section is filled with rows of inverted triangles; lines protrude from tips of triangles, connecting them to row below. Triangles in bottom row are facing upward and their protruding lines connect with those in the row above. Third section of painting is made up of three bands. Top band is decorated with variety of connected shapes, decorated with diagonal lines; shapes consist of triangles, diamonds, rectangles, and pentagons. Second band is filled with diamonds; negative space between diamonds and edges of band are decorated with diagonal lines. Bottom band of third section is covered with irregularly-shaped pentagons; negative space between shapes and edges of band are decorated with diagonal and horizontal lines. Bottom section of painting is divided into three parts: long thin rectangle along top edge, square in bottom left corner, and a rectangle in the bottom right. Small decorated triangle in top right corner of square; rest of section is undecorated. 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.