Cloud Forest Unfolding

Traditional barkcloth comes from the inner bark sourced from rainforest trees. The bark is stripped and folded, then black palm mallets are used to pound the bark across flat stones. The result is a strong fibre-like cloth that can be dyed or painted with natural forest colours made from fruit, ferns, leaves and charcoal. The fabric is then appliquéd using a bat-wing bone needle. Created mostly by tribeswomen, barkcloth is worn by all members of the village, and is an important part of ceremonial practice, particularly for marriage, initiation and funerary rites.

As bark painting designs originated from body painting, rich in story and law, so too does barkcloth share similar connotations – dazzling effects of line and motif, brought to life through dance and movement inherent in ceremonial practice. Barkcloth is a traditional part of Pacific Islander culture, and the tapa is the customary textile of the Ömie from Oro Province in Papua New Guinea.