Medii (Centipede)
1988
Medium
earth and natural pigments on sago palm petiole
Measurements
137.7 × 69.6 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
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Bangwis village, Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2001.402
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 depicts a centipede, one of the artist’s totems. The large black ovoid form (with concave sides) in the centre of the design is the long narrow body. The solid red on either side of this ovoid form represent the centipede’s reddish colour. The black roundels flanking the body outlined by concentric yellow, white and red lines correspond to its two ‘eyes’. The multicoloured chevrons bordering the solid areas of red depict its numerous short legs, white hooks depicts its mouth, and the red hook forms (enclosed) depict the teeth.