Original artwork description:

During a recent visit to Tana Toraja in Sulawesi, Indonesia, I became fascinated with the elaborate and all encompassing funeral rites of the people there. The funeral service lasts for several days and culminates with the slaughter of animals, including water buffalo, in order for the deceased's souls to be carried on to the afterworld.

The buffalo are graded in value dependant on various criteria including coat and eye colour, horn size and direction. The most valuable buffalo are the spotted albino with blue eyes, an arbitrary choice - but what of value isn't chosen arbitrarily?

Painted in oil on stretched damask.

Materials used:

oil on damask

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