Mbuti Painting on Bark Cloth
Mbuti People, Ituri Forest
D.R.Congo
20th century
Pounded inner bark fiber ( Ficus)  organic colorants

29.5 x 18 inches
75 x 46 cm

Published; Emmanuel Paye, PONGO (1995) page 32 and in our 2020 catalog MBUTI PAINTINGS, number 28

The unusual orange tinged surface, possibly obtained from wild tumeric root, provides a rich background for a kaleidoscope of forest patterning that invokes the energy of insect and plant life. Like red, the color was associated with barkcloths designed for girls' coming of age ceremonies.