Ije ridime'e, vinohu'e, viojoje dehe, vison'e ohu'o shiha'u'e (Jungle ladder, bellybutton tattoo design, butterfly wings, nasal jewellery and fruit)
2006
Medium
natural pigments on nioge (woman's barkcloth skirt)
Measurements
148.5 × 134.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of David Baker, 2007
© the artist
Gallery location
The Ancient World
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
Nioge (barkcloths) are made exclusively by Ömie women from the south-eastern slopes of Mount Lamington, Oro Province in Papua New Guinea. Each nioge is created from the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree, softened into thin sheets through an extensive process of stripping, soaking and beating. The nioges are then painted with bold black outlines called eseegé (pathways) and infilled with natural earthy pigments. Visually striking and uniquely patterned, these nioge are imbued with the cultural jagor’e (law), spiritual wisdom and environmental knowledge of their makers.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Godibehi village, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2007.384
Department
Pacific Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Physical description
In her painting, the artist delineates Ömie country surrounded by mountains and country as represented by the concentric diamonds and triangles, a trademark of the Ömie people.