Collection Online
Medium
earth and natural pigments on sago palm petiole
Measurements
132.8 × 65.3 cm
Place/s of Execution
Bangwis village, Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2001.417
Department
Pacific Art
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
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Gallery location
Not on display
Physical description
The painting depicts waves generated on the Sepik River by strong winds. Kwoma artists often anthropomorhise natural objects and give them human faces or features of faces. The artist identified two black roundels on either side of the midpoint of the design as the waves “eyes’. Two large black ovoid shapes at the top and bottom of painting depict the ‘source’ of the waves below the surface of the water. The waves are represented by the various U- or V-shaped lines or bands painted in different colours.