Omie Barkcloth Art - Papua New Guinea

Gallery 2

25 May– 11 July 2018

 

Ancestors Tattoo Design by Jessie Bujava

Jessie Bujava   |  Ancestors Tattoo Design

Jap 014963  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  108 x 84 cm

Omie Mountains and Hornbill Beaks by Diona Jonevari

Diona Jonevari  |  Omie Mountains and Hornbill Beaks

Jap 014964  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  153 x 55 cm

Emate Clan Design – Tree Branches by Jean Niduvé

Jean Niduvé  |  Emate Clan Design – Tree Branches

Jap 014967  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  127 x 68 cm

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Beaks of the Papuan Hornbill by Lillias Bujava

Lillias Bujava   |  Beaks of the Papuan Hornbill

Jap 014962  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  154 x 63 cm

Tail-feathers of the Swift by Ilma Savari

Ilma Savari   |  Tail-feathers of the Swift

Jap 014959  |  appliqued mud-dyed barkcloth   |  113 x 53 cm

Omie Mountains by Botha Kimmikimmi

Botha Kimmikimmi   |  Omie Mountains

Jap 014953  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  135 x 45 cm

Nyoniraje Clan-Man Ancestor by Ilma Savari

Ilma Savari   |  Nyoniraje Clan-Man Ancestor

Jap 014960  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  100 x 78 cm

Jije – Stars by Pennyrose Sosa

Pennyrose Sosa   |  Jije – Stars

Jap 014966  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  113 x 57 cm

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River Fish and Omie Mountains by Hilda Mekio

Hilda Mekio   |  River Fish and Omie Mountains

Jap 014968  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  96 x 61 cm

Wo ohohe by Brenda Kesi

Brenda Kesi  |  Wo ohohe

Jap 014950  |  appliqued mud-dyed barkcloth   |  90 x 88 cm

Tatoo Design by Lila Warrimou

Lila Warrimou   |  Tatoo Design

Jap 014952  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  105 x 54 cm

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Ancestral Design by Brenda Kesi

Brenda Kesi  |  Ancestral Design

Jap 014951  |  appliqued mud-dyed barkcloth   |  93 x 89 cm

Mens Ceremonial Tattoos by Sarah Ugibari

Sarah Ugibari  |  Mens Ceremonial Tattoos

Jap 014948  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  108 x 53 cm

Ancestral Body & Face Paint Design by Pauline-Rose Hago

Pauline-Rose Hago  |  Ancestral Body & Face Paint Design

Jap 014957  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  104 x 52 cm

Bush Snail Shells, Stars, Omie Mountains by Jami Sare

Jami Sare   |  Bush Snail Shells, Stars, Omie Mountains

Jap 014965  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  125 x 64 cm

Omie Mountains and Hornbill Beaks by Aspasia Gadai

Aspasia Gadai  |  Omie Mountains and Hornbill Beaks

Jap 014956  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  134 x 68 cm

Omie Mountains and Spiderwebs by Dapeni Jonevari

Dapeni Jonevari   |  Omie Mountains and Spiderwebs

Jap 014955  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  120 x 50 cm

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Markings of the Caterpillar by Martha-Jean Uhamo

Martha-Jean Uhamo   |  Markings of the Caterpillar

Jap 014961  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  79 x 48 cm

Ujawe Initiation Tattoo Design by Elizabeth Guho

Elizabeth Guho   |  Ujawe Initiation Tattoo Design

Jap 014958  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  95 x 69 cm

Mweje – Gardens by Fate Savari

Fate Savari  |  Mweje – Gardens

Jap 014949  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  149 x 74 cm

Mens Ceremonial Initiation Tattoos by Dapeni Jonevari

Dapeni Jonevari  |  Mens Ceremonial Initiation Tattoos

Jap 014954  |  natural pigments on barkcloth  |  135 x 59 cm

Omie Artists from Oro Province in Papua New Guinea produce traditional textiles called barkcloth which are decorated and painted with family and tribal designs. These barkcloths are used during important ceremonies and remain part of everyday life in the villages. There are twelve villages producing artworks for Omie Artists, and care is taken to ensure that protocols and laws around clan copyright are maintained.

The story of barkcloth is embedded in the creation story of Suja the first Ancestor woman, who beat the original barkcloth from natural bush fibres. Barkcloth is made from the inner bark layers of rain forest trees. The fibrous sheets are pounded on rocks using palm mallets, then folded and stretched to make the cloth. Natural dye colours are made from plants and applied with a bone needle.

Barkcloth has traditionally been made by village women and the women artists have now been making nioge, or fibre skirts to sell through their art co-operatives for the past 14 years. The income for artists assists the families to access essential services for their remote homeland communities. It also helps to buy tools. medicines, clothes and education materials.The Omie barkcloths are now represented in national and international collections.