Large Samoan Siapo

In the Pacific, cotton was not available, so they used the bark of a tree to make clothing. They did this by removing the outer layer of the bark and pounding it out. Today, this way of life has almost died out, with only a handful of people still making it today.
 
This piece was made by Timothy. The cloth was made in Tonga, and natural pigment powder is used to paint. These are one of a kind artworks. Reference photos are used, and then they are hand-painted. One hundred percent of the funds raised go right back to outreach trips.
 
This artwork is genuinely unique. It is incredibly rare, as very few artisans create this craft today—no two pieces are identical. The paint is meticulously crafted by hand to guarantee that the colors are absolutely perfect.
 
It is quite hard for me to let go of these pieces due to their cultural significance and the effort invested in them. I kindly request that the person who purchases them shares the cultural history with those who inquire and narrates the stories of the people from the Pacific.