Barkcloth panel c. 1930

Curator: This is a barkcloth panel created around 1930 by an artist of the Mbuti people. The medium is intriguing; it's ink and pigment on textile—barkcloth, specifically. Editor: It's quite striking. The rough texture of the material gives it a very raw, almost primal feel. The muted palette, predominantly brown and black, adds to the somber, grounded mood. Curator: Absolutely. The Mbuti, an indigenous group from the Ituri Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, often used barkcloth for clothing, bedding, and ceremonial purposes. Editor: Looking at the lines, one notes the almost rigid formalism with a set of simple repeated vertical and angular strokes in black ink, creating geometric forms that seem to interact. Curator: These aren’t mere geometric patterns, though. Historians suggest they often contain figuration, referencing aspects of their environment and societal structure. Editor: Ah, I see a human profile hidden amongst the repetitive markings. How cleverly disguised; it emerges quietly from the broader composition. The lines themselves take on added resonance by suggesting more than their geometric properties. Curator: Indeed. These panels served, at least partially, as a means to preserve their cultural traditions during a time of considerable societal change. Colonial authorities impacted how they traditionally lived and so, these pieces had considerable significance beyond daily utility. Editor: So, beyond its formal components, the barkcloth also carries a weighty narrative. We understand the object goes past a basic aesthetic assessment when seen against that historical setting. Curator: Exactly, its very existence pushes back against dominant narratives. Editor: Looking at it again, it presents a surprisingly refined simplicity for such a layered background. Curator: The artist used limited means to record and convey communal information, to push against larger social forces. Editor: An economical approach that adds considerable weight to this rather understated visual statement. Well, a piece that has many intriguing ideas about material, form, and meaning!