![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by BRENDA KESI (ARIRÉ) of Omie Artists. The title is Sihoti’e Taliobamë’e – Ancestral Design of the Mud. [16-020] (Nioge Taliobamë’e - Appliquéd Barkcloth)](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/s/artwork/b/sihotie-taliobamëe-ancestral-design-of-the-mud-4722-LARGE-2.webp)
BRENDA KESI (ARIRÉ)
Sihoti’e Taliobamë’e – Ancestral Design of the Mud16-020
Nioge Taliobamë’e - Appliquéd Barkcloth
Sihoti’e Taliobamë’e – Ancestr… | 16-020
Nioge Taliobamë’e - Appliquéd Barkc…
84.5 x 96.5cm | 33.27 x 37.99in (irregular)
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Brenda Kesi (Ariré) has created an ancestral sihoti’e taliobamë’e (design of the mud).
In this rare instance, Brenda has not used the grey-brown coloured mud to dye the barkcloth or the appliqué designs. Rather, in the very same manner of the more familiar sihoti’e (mud-dyed barkcloths) where the dark mud-dyed barkcloth is used to contrast with the light barkcloth in its natural undyed state (or vice versa), instead, here Brenda has used the natural white coloured barkcloth to contrast with the natural brown coloured barkcloth. What fascinates here is how the work functions and is recognisable as a sihoti’e or “mudcloth”, yet technically, it is not. With the sophisticated, progressive spirit of a true artist, this work sees Brenda subtly pushing the boundaries of possibility of this ancient artform, to stunning effect.
Brenda was taught this design by her mother, Go’ovino at the old Ematé clan village of Enopé which was abandoned due to the 1951 eruption of Huvaimo (Mount Lamington). Brenda recalls how, before that, her mother was taught this design by her mother, Munne. She explains how in the old days of making barkcloths the women had no paints so they would soak the barkcloth in mud, cut the desired pieces and then sew them onto the plain barkcloth. The contrasting effects would result in various bold visual designs. The design was sewn with a bat-wing bone needle and a river reed was shredded to create the sewing thread. The Ömie creation story tells of how the very first sihoti’e nioge (mud-dyed barkcloth) was created by Suja, the first Ömie woman and mother of the world, under instruction from Mina, the first Ömie man, after she experienced her first menstruation. Suja dyed the plain barkcloth in the volcanic clay at the River Uhojo at the base of the sacred Mount Obo. Suja wore the mud-dyed barkcloth during her menstruation and lived in seclusion in a small hut known as jé’o jarwé (also called ivi’ino’ové’tové) for its duration.
In this rare instance, Brenda has not used the grey-brown coloured mud to dye the barkcloth or the appliqué designs. Rather, in the very same manner of the more familiar sihoti’e (mud-dyed barkcloths) where the dark mud-dyed barkcloth is used to contrast with the light barkcloth in its natural undyed state (or vice versa), instead, here Brenda has used the natural white... Read More