Contemporary Art from Remote Australia
Darwin, NT — Since 2008
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Exhibition

An Exploration of Bark

Where

Outstation Gallery
8 Parap Place
Parap, 0820
Darwin, Northern Territory

Art Centres

This exhibition is brought to you by Outstation, in collaboration with the following art centres:

Artists

  • Alieena Lamanga
  • Botha Kimmikimmi (Hirokiki)
  • Brenda Kesi (Ariré)
  • Chris Taylore
  • Diona Jonevari (Suwarari)
  • Emmanuel Wurrkidj
  • Fate Jina’emmi (Iva)
  • Fiona Jin-Majinggal Mason
  • Fiona Jin-majinggal Mason
  • Hilda Mekio
  • Ilma Savari
  • Irenie Ngalinba
  • Ivan Namirriki
  • Ivy-Rose Sirimi
  • Jean Niduvé (Urihö)
  • Jessie Bujava (Kipora)
  • Kay Lindjuwanga
  • Lila Warrimou (Misaso)
  • Lillias Bujava (Kausara)
  • Linda‐Grace Savari (Majaré)
  • Mala Nari (Matosi)
  • Martha-­Jean Uhamo (Dogarine)
  • Pauline-Rose Hago (Derami)
  • Pennyrose Sosa
  • Robert Lanuarr
  • Sarah Ugibari

As bark painting designs originated from body painting, rich in story and law, so too does barkcloth share similar connotation – 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.  Barkcloth is made from the inner bark of rainforest trees, folded and pounded on stones with black palm mallets to form a strong, fibrous cloth. After drying, cloth is dyed or painted using natural colour made from fruit, ferns, leaves and charcoal, then appliquéd with a batwing bone needle.
Traditionally barkcloth has been produced and painted by the tribeswomen, although male artists are known to paint cloth also. Worn by women, men and children, barkcloth is important in ceremonial practice, with particular significance for marriage, funerary and initiation rites.

Ömie Artists (Inc.) is fully owned and governed by Omie people operated through five art centres servicing 12 villages.  Ömie Artists have been successfully exhibiting their barkcloth since 2006 and their work is held in both national and international collections.
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Maningrida artists are well known for their shimmering raark – the line work so meticulously painted, the overlay of ochre on white, creating light and optical movement. The geometric abstraction and repetition of motif, the relationship between ancestors and country, and the system of law that governs design, are similar to both Top End bark painting and barkcloth. It is a wonderful reminder of the links between Indigenous cultures, ancient practice and cultural preservation.

Outstation Gallery is delighted to present this first in exhibiting both Ömie and Maningrida works together, complementing and reflecting the shared and diverse qualities of their respective cultures.

Omie Artists have been generously supported by Pacific Island Trade & Invest for this exhibition.

Emmanuel Wurrkidj

A$950  —  Details  /  Enquire

Fiona Jin-majinggal Mason

A$750  —  Details  /  Enquire

Robert Lanuarr

A$950  —  Details  /  Enquire

Kay Lindjuwanga

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ivan Namirriki

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ivan Namirriki

A$2,100  —  Details  /  Enquire

Wak Wak Emmanuel Wurrkidj

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Fiona Jin-majinggal Mason

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Alieena Lamanga

A$650  —  Details  /  Enquire

Kay Lindjuwanga

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Alieena Lamanga

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Robert Lanuarr

A$950  —  Details  /  Enquire

Irenie Ngalinba

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Fiona Jin-Majinggal Mason

A$1,500  —  Details  /  Enquire

Chris Taylore

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ematé clan design of the bare tree branches Jean Niduvé (Urihö)

A$1,750  —  Details  /  Enquire

Design of the eye, teeth of the river fish and spots of the wood-­boring grub Hilda Mekio

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ancestral tattoo design of the necklace with pandanus fibre string Ilma Savari

A$1,750  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, bone of the lizard, jungle vine, uncurling fern fronds and spots of the wood‐boring grub Diona Jonevari (Suwarari)

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Customary shell necklace Pennyrose Sosa

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Stars Pennyrose Sosa

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The forbidden tree of Lawe’s Parotia, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill Ivy-Rose Sirimi

Returned to art centre  —  Details  /  Enquire

Fruit of the tree and teeth of the fish Jessie Bujava (Kipora)

Returned to art centre  —  Details  /  Enquire

Story of the new family & the spiderweb (withstepfather’s eyes), beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, tailbone of the lizard, fruit of the sihe tree (men’s tattoo design of the bellybutton), teeth of the fish, leaf markings on the woven mat Lillias Bujava (Kausara)

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Misajé clan emblem of the river plant Martha-­Jean Uhamo (Dogarine)

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Pig’s tusks and teeth, fruit of the mustard plant and fern leaves Linda‐Grace Savari (Majaré)

A$1,250  —  Details  /  Enquire

Bone and skin of the lizard (with beaks of the black parrot and spots of the wood‐boring grub) Pauline-Rose Hago (Derami)

A$2,500  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ömie mountains, river boulders and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill Mala Nari (Matosi)

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Teeth of the river fish, spots of the wood-­‐boring grub and Ömie mountains Fate Jina’emmi (Iva)

A$1,500  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ömie mountains, eggs of the Dwarf Cassowary and spots of the wood-­boring grub Botha Kimmikimmi (Hirokiki)

A$2,500  —  Details  /  Enquire

Design of the sun (with fruit if the sih’e tree, pig hoof‐prints and spots of the wood-­‐boring grub) Lila Warrimou (Misaso)

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Leaves of the bamboo Brenda Kesi (Ariré)

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Ancestral design of the mud Brenda Kesi (Ariré)

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire

Ground-­burrowing spider Brenda Kesi (Ariré)

A$2,500  —  Details  /  Enquire

Tail-­feathers of the swift when sitting in the tree Sarah Ugibari

Sold  —  Details  /  Enquire