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Yopomeshe, hoposhopo (Yopomeshe, the caterpillar)

Manal Kapay
Yopomeshe, hoposhopo (Yopomeshe, the caterpillar)
 1988

Medium
earth and natural pigments on sago palm petiole

Measurements
131.1 × 66.9 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
2001.408

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 brightly coloured caterpillar (hoposhopo) named yopomeshe depicted in this painting is one of the largest found in the Washkuk Hills. The yopomeshe caterpillar is possibly the larval form of one of the giant Birdwing butterflies that abound in this region. In this painting, the four black pointed ovals represent different segments of the caterpillar’s body. The yellow triangles outlined in white and red on the two sides depict its many short legs (yatii).

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