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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.

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