Collection Online

Browse by artist name

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
Apokwashi (Fruit bat)

Abunigi
Apokwashi (Fruit bat)
 1988

Medium
earth and natural pigments on sago palm petiole

Measurements
134.0 × 70.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through the NGV Foundation with the assistance of The Thomas William Lasham Fund, Founder Benefactor, 2001
© Courtesy of the copyright holder

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Bangwis village, Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
2001.395

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
The painting represents a type of fruit bat named Apokwashi, the second largest of the several varieties of flying fox found in the Washkuk Hills. It is depicted in a mirror reflection on the top and bottom part of the painting. In each half, the fruit bat is depicted by means of two anatomical features: its ‘face’ and outstretched wings. The heart-shaped face is set on a black ground framed by parallel white, yellow and red lines. Each face with a a pair of round black eyes, a black bulbous nose and a small curved mouth.

Explore the collection

MEDAL Munul yewala country Paddy Jaminji The arrival Greg Semu The sighting Greg Semu A young woman of the Sandwich Islands J. K. SHERWIN (engraver); John WEBBER (draughtsman) Mask fragment Baining people, New Britain, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea driftnet Judy Watson Carriages Walker EVANS Pacific Transformer 4 Tama Sharman Outfit: Habanero halter top, Pacific pleats skirt, Hibiscus, feather and Pule headpiece and Towards a ship of new arrivals... necklace DORIS DE PONT, Auckland (fashion house); Doris DE PONT (designer); Margo BARTON (milliner); Sofia TEKELA-SMITH Kennedy Space Centre, Fla. Apollo 15 lift-off 9.34am EDT. 26 July 1971 NASA, Washington, D.C. (manufacturer) Brushing against flowers, fragrance permeates garments KŌSEN Shōton Death (La Pieta of the Raft) Greg Semu An Epitome of the Natural History of the Insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite and Other Islands in the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans; including the Figures and Descriptions of One Hundred and Fifty Species of the more Splendid, Beautiful and Interesting Insects, Hitherto Discovered in those Countries…, Edward DONOVAN Birth Greg Semu A woman of Van Diemen's Land J. CALDWELL (engraver); John WEBBER (draughtsman) H'nard K'nore G'nang G'near PACIFIC SISTERS, New Zealand (art collective); Rosanna RAYMOND The enjoyable lesson François BOUCHER Pacific Transformer 3 Tama Sharman The mysterious basket François BOUCHER Pacific Transformer 2 Tama Sharman Wubarr ceremony Thompson Yulidirri The Raft Greg Semu The Raft of the Tagata Pasifika (People of the Pacific) Greg Semu Pacific Peter UPWARD Light Greg Semu Fa'afafine Greg Semu An opossum of Van Diemen's Land P. MAZELL (engraver); John WEBBER (draughtsman) Fern Tree Gully, Table Mountain, Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land John Skinner PROUT Tambourine Arthur STREETON