Regions ·
Painted Bark Cloth of Lake Sentani
From beaten inner bark to painted surface: a short look at one of the best-known art forms of the lake.
Sample editorial text for a portfolio demo. On a live site each factual statement is checked and sourced before publishing.
Bark cloth is made across much of the Pacific by soaking and beating the inner bark of certain trees into a soft, flexible sheet. At Lake Sentani these sheets became a ground for painting.
Motifs and makers
Fish, lizards, birds and spirals are among the motifs most often seen. Interpretations of individual motifs vary, and this text does not assign meanings without a source.
Painting on bark is a living practice at the lake. Contemporary works are catalogued as contemporary and, where possible, by artist.
