Bark Cloth | Shafina Jaffer Art

Bagh-E-Tasleem

2m by 1.5m

Tree Bark cloth

Natural Pigments

Global Conference of the Birds

4 panels: 4m x 4m (each),

Inspired by the 10th century poem; "The Conference of the Birds" by Persian philosopher Farid Ud Din Attar

Barkcloth painted with Natural Earth Pigments

MALL GALLERIES

LONDON, UK

2025

Global Conference of the Birds

World Trade Centre, Dubai

2025

Jhabo (Right) -Depicts the whole joorney of the Conference of the Birds, (12th Century Persian poem by Farid-Uddin Attar. Bark cloth painted with natural pigments.

Global Conference of the Birds

Jhabo (Right)

Depicts the whole journey of the Conference of the Birds, (12th Century Persian poem by Farid-Uddin Attar. Bark cloth painted with natural pigments.

Baby Jhabo (Left)

Depicts the future after meeting the Nur (Simurg, the mythical bird of light in the Conference of the Birds, (12th Century Persian poem by Farid-Uddin Attar. Hessian with bark cloth.

The Light She Carries

Hoopoe Ascends.

4m x 2m

Tree Barkcloth painted with natural pigments.

2025

Resonances of Life

1.6m x 1.6m

Barkcloth and natural pigments

Cow bone pigment, Malachite crystal, Gold, African medicinal clay, Moroccan Majorelle Blue , Masai hair dye and charcoal.

The bark of a tree is used to make bark cloth. It feels strong like leather and is very absorbing like human skin. These are meticulously painted on with a toothpick in charcoal, Malachite crystal , gold and pigment made from cow bone. The designs are inspired by henna art, nature and modern abstract and expresses the artists sense of synergy derived from her Indian African roots.