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Bark Painting - Stingray Motif

Culture Australia
Origin Australia
Title Bark Painting - Stingray Motif
Date 20th–mid 20th century
Medium Bark with pigment
Dimensions Object: 14 7/8 × 12 1/4 in. (37.8 × 31.1 cm)
Overall: 14 7/8 x 12 1/4 in. (37.8 x 31.1 cm)
Credit Line Gift of Mr. Allan Gerdau, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 62.171.2

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About this Work

Bark paintings from northern Australia’s Arnhem Land were created for both recreational and instructional purposes. Historically such paintings were created on the inside of bark covered shelters but after interaction and interest from Western audiences, artists began to paint on sheets of bark not attached to any existing structures.

Animals are common in both the art and mythology with clans often having associations with specific animals in addition to areas and land formations. The black background of this painting suggests that it was created during the twentieth century, probably within twenty years or less of its entry to the museum’s collection.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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"Bark Painting - Stingray Motif | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=62.171.2