Thursday, April 19, 2007

Paperbark picture


There was some interest in the paperbark photo I posted, and I thought you'd like to see a photo of a picture made up of paperbark and other natural materials. I bought this in the 70s shortly after arriving in Australia, but haven't seen them for years. I think they're very charming, and portray scenes that are still, thankfully, very common in Australia.

14 comments:

Kerri said...

This picture isn't showing up either Val. These blogger hiccups are sent to try us!
Sure hope you'll try loading it again because I'd love to see it.

Susie said...

I can see it, but I'm having trouble trying to post pictures myself. I think Blogger is feeling ill.
This picture looks almost 3D. I love the textured look..
Oh and to answer your question, I've been getting my email notification with no problem.
:)

Peter said...

Hi Val, I have a friend who does bark paintings that are beautiful, check this link.

http://peters-pictures.blogspot.com/2006/12/bark-pictures.html

lindsaylobe said...

Peter is correct; the paintings can be quite beautiful and unique!! . Especially using the natural materials.

Paperbark is a wonderful medium for art, so soft with individual texture and interesting grain. Your picture is interesting and nicely crafted.

East Gippsland-based artist Rachel Mullet was awarded the $15,000 Deadly Art Award for her work, Bogong Moths on Paperbark, 2006.
The judges commended the work for its “excellent melding of the traditional and the contemporary” describing it as a “powerful, intricate and multi-layered piece, painted with contemporary materials straight onto bark, in the traditional method.

I also admired the traditional bark paintings from the women at Mtsirizi in Malawi in East Africa.

Simple but beautifully painted scenes of village life and fisherman and I have included one of the paintings on our letterhead.

Best wishes

Annette said...

This is so incredible. I didn't think a picture using bark would have much to see in it, but this is beautiful. I love the texture. It reminds me of Arthur Updike's Napoleon Bonaparte mystery novel settings.

Annette

sonia a. mascaro said...

It's very beautiful, Val!

Cris said...

Beautiful Val, what other things do they make with paperback? I had never heard of them, so your posts really mean a lot, we learn so much from you. Thanks!

John Cowart said...

As always you expand my universe.

Val said...

Here's some info, from Wikipedia, which I don't really approve of but it's quick:
The softness and flexibility of the paperbark itself made it an extremely useful tree to Aboriginal people. It was used to line coolamons when used as cradles, as a bandage, as a sleeping mat, and as material for building humpies. It was also used for wrapping food for cooking (in the same way aluminium foil is today), as a disposable raincoat, and for tamping holes in canoes. In the Gadigal language, it is called Bujor. Here's the website for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca

Peter said...

Hi Val, hopefully some good news,
I have just got a couple of emails for the last couple of comments, so they MAY have fixed it.

Val said...

I am still not getting email notification, this is a test...

Merle said...

Hi Val ~~ Glad you enjoyed the interesting facts. Nice to see a bit of rain, but we need heaps more.
I am waiting for the big game tomorrow. Was not impressed with
Brendon on the Footy Show. a little bit is OK but he went on and on.
Just as silly as Shane Crawford is with Sam. I think some of it is staged. Hope we can beat West Coast.
It is on Fox so I can watch it.
Take care, Love, Merle.

Amrita said...

Hi Val, thanks for visiting my blog. I 've started a new one writing on it more regularly at www.yesugarden.blogspot.com. I love your blog and pictures. Yeah i know blogwriting is quite addictive, i burnt my lunch twice while posting

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

The paper back photo is very interesting and I have a photo made of corn husks from Haiti. It's not as detailed as yours.