New Barkcloths of the Ömie Women
New Barkcloths of the Ömie Women 15 February - 9 March 2024
Aboriginal & Pacific Art in association with Ömie Artists, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea.
Front cover image: Diona Jonevari Bubori anö’e, vinohu’e, siha’e, odunaigö’e, # 23005, locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth), 139 x 67 cm
Image on Right:
Diona Jonevari Se’a hu’e, dahoru’e, bubori anö’e, vë’i ija ahe, odunaigö’e, jö’o sor’e, sabu ahe, vinohu’e ohu’o siha’e Ancestor’s body designs, Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, bone of the lizard, jungle vine,uncurling fern fronds, spots of the wood-boring grub, Ujawé rite initiation tattoo of the navel and fruit of the Sihe tree #21-002 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 164 x 70.5 cm
New Barkcloths of the Ömie Women Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney 15th February – 9th March 2024 Aboriginal & Pacific Art, in association with Ömie Artists, presents an exhibition of exquisite new paintings on nioge (barkcloth) by three remarkable Ömie women artists from the remote mountain rainforests of Papua New Guinea. The show features an exceptional body of work by Diona Jonevari (Suwarari), that augments her place as a highly accomplished painter. With ambitious vision, Diona weaves her intricate designs into commanding and graceful compositions. Diona often paints alongside her sister-in-law, Dyna Jonevari (Ïka), whose work is of astonishing resolve and abounds with the captivating abstract symbolism for which the Ömie artists have come to be celebrated for. Dyna’s wealth of knowledge—transmitted from the strong, authentic lineage of her birth mother, Dapeni Jonevari (Mokokari)—can be seen through the raw power of her mark-making.
Artist Rosemon Hinana creates her art using the ancient appliqué technique known as sihoti’e taliobamë’e, where the barkcloth is first dyed with mud and then sewn into bold and striking compositions using locally harvested grass thread and a bat wing bone needle. Rosemon’s precious mud-dyed barkcloths poetically echo those created by the first female ancestor, Suja, as told in the sacred Ömie creation story. These vibrant and dynamic contemporary works on nioge (barkcloth) resonate with the artists’ deep knowledge of the natural world and their profound wisdom of place. Together, whether through elaborate artistry or minimal restraint, these artists share with us the very essence and beauty of their culture. - Brennan King, Exhibitions Manager Ömie Artists
Dyna Jonevari Mahudan’e, butotu’e, odunaigö’e, siha’e, sabu deje, dahoru’e ohu’o bubori anö’e #23-013 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 140 x 73.5 cm Pig tusk necklaces (customary Ömie wealth), spiderwebs, climbing jungle vines with thorns and tendrils, fruit of the Sihe tree, spots of the wood-boring grub, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Rosemon Hinana Aduvahe sihoti’e nioge ohu’o bubori anö’e #22-005 sihoti’e taliobamë’e appliquéd, mud-dyed nioge (hand-beaten barkcloth) sewn with locally harvested grass thread and bat wing bone needle 186.5 x 78 cm Chief’s prestige mudcloth (the first appliquéd mud-dyed barkcloth design) and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Diona Jonevari Bubori anö’e, vinohu’e, siha’e, odunaigö’e, visuanö’e ohu’o duahe sore #23-009 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 114 x 58 cm Beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, Ujawé initiation rite tattoo design of the navel, fruit of the Sihe tree, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, teeth of the freshwater river fish and ancestral body designs
Dyna Jonevari Asimano’e, ai soru’e (taigu taigu’e, odunaigö’e, siha’e/vinohu’e), dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e #23-015 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 137 x 59.5 cm Heads of men/ancestors, Ujawé initiation rite body designs (pattern of a leaf, jungle vines, fruit of the Sihe tree/navel tattoo design), Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Diona Jonevari Dahoru’e, bubori anö’e, odunaigö’e, vë’i ija ahe, siha’e, vinohu’e, vahuha’e sin’e, onugeje ohu’o kukuhon’e sor’e (hato’e) #23-010 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 116 x 61 cm Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, bone of the lizard, fruit of the Sihe tree, Ujawé initiation rite tattoo design of the navel, pattern of the snake skin, chestnuts, and designs of mens’ bamboo smoking pipe
Rosemon Hinana Aduvahe sihoti’e nioge ohu’o bubori anö’e #23-002 sihoti’e taliobamë’e appliquéd, mud-dyed nioge (hand-beaten barkcloth) sewn with locally harvested grass thread and bat wing bone needle 122 x 66.5 cm Chief’s prestige mudcloth (the first appliquéd mud-dyed barkcloth design) and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Diona Jonevari Dahoru’e, vahuha’e sin’e, siha’e, odunaigö’e ohu’o asimano’e #23-006 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 160 x 51.5 cm Ömie mountains, pattern of the snake skin, fruit of the Sihe tree, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils and heads of men/ancestors
Diona Jonevari Butotu’e, mokoje nun’e, dahoru’e, bubori anö’e ohu’o so’e sor’e #23-016 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 200 x 91 cm Spiderwebs, eyes of the parrot, Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, and ancestral design
Dyna Jonevari Mahudan’e, odunaigö’e siha’e, dahoru’e ohu’o buborianö’e #23-014 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 129 x 49.5 cm Pig tusk necklaces (customary Ömie wealth), climbing jungle vines with thorns and tendrils, fruit of the Sihe tree, Ömie mountains and beaks of the Papuan Hornbill
Diona Jonevari Se’a hu’e, siha’e, dahoru’e, odunaigö’e, vinohu’e ohu’o visue’ija ahe #23-007 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 142.5 x 67.5 cm Ancestor’s body designs, fruit of the Sihe tree, Ömie mountains, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, Ujawé initiation rite tattoo design of the navel, and bone of the freshwater river fish
Rosemon Hinana Jö’o sor’e sihoti’e nioge ohu’o bubori anö’e #23-001 sihoti’e taliobamë’e appliquéd, mud-dyed nioge (hand-be and bat wing bone needle 133 x 70.5 cm
Mudcloth design of the uncurling fern fronds and beaks of t
eaten barkcloth) sewn with locally harvested grass thread
the Papuan Hornbill
Diona Jonevari The birth land of my Ömie ancestor named Koraru, and Ömie mountains (dahoru’e) #23-008 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 126.5 x 60.5 cm
Diona Jonevari Dahoru’e, bubori anö’e, odunaigö’e, vë’i ija ahe, jö’o sor’e, sabu ahe, taigu taigu’e, douhia’e sore, siha’e ohu’o asimano’e #23-003 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 128.5 x 101.5 cm Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, bone of the lizard, uncurling fern fronds, spots of the woodboring grub, leaf pattern, leg tattoo design of the female ancestor (named Kamuola), fruit of the Sihe tree, and heads of men/ancestors
Diona Jonevari Vison’e/uge dela, dahoru’e, bubori anö’e, odunaigö’e, vahuha’e sin’e, mokoje nun’e, kukuhon’e sor’e ohu’o sin’e sor’e #23-012 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 94 x 59.5 cm Eel-bone jewellery for initiation nasal septum piercings, Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, pattern of the snake skin, eye of the parrot, designs of mens’ bamboo smoking pipe, and ancestral body designs
Diona Jonevari Vison’e/uge dela, visu anö’e, sabu ahe, dahoru’e, bubori anö’e, odunaigö’e, siha’e, vinohu’e, vahuha’e sin’e, ohu’o onugeje #23-011 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 106 x 51 cm Eel-bone jewellery for initiation nasal septum piercings, teeth of the freshwater river fish, spots of the woodboring grub, Ömie mountains, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils, fruit of the Sihe tree, Ujawé initiation rite tattoo design of the navel, pattern of the snake skin, and chestnuts
Diona Jonevari Sin’e soré (Dahoru’e, mokoje nun’e, duahe sore, sihae, bubori anö’e ohu’o odunaigö’e) #23-005 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 139 x 67 cm Ömie body designs (Ömie mountains, eye of the parrot, ancestral design, fruit of the Sihe tree, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils)
Diona Jonevari Sin’e soré (Dahoru’e, mokoje nun’e, duahe sore, sihae, bubori anö’e ohu’o odunaigö’e) #23-004 locally sourced natural pigments on nioge (hand beaten barkcloth) 159.5 x 59 cm Ömie body designs (Ömie mountains, eye of the parrot, ancestral design, fruit of the Sihe tree, beaks of the Papuan Hornbill, climbing jungle vine with thorns and tendrils)
Patricia Warera (Matomguo) Wo’ohohe #21-011 appliquéd, mud-dyed nioge (hand-beaten barkcloth) sewn with locally harvested grass thread and bat wing bone needle 137 x 79 cm Burrow of the ground-burrowing spider and its tracks
New Barkcloths of the Ömie Women Presented by Aboriginal & Pacific Art, Sydney, in association with
Ömie Artists, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea 15 February - 9 March 2024
Aboriginal & Pacific Art, 1/24 Wellington Street, Waterloo, NSW, 2017 Australia Ph: +61 2 9699 2211 E: info@aboriginalpacificart.com.au W: www.aboriginalpacificart.com.au
All images and text copyright the Artists and the community,
Ömie Artists, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea.