…who made this painting on bark currently on display. So it’s on exhibition without a label! The National Museum of Australia has a long history of exhibiting copies and facsmilies without attribution, so this example is but a continuation of their curatorial standards (sic). Several experts agree that this representation of a Macassan Prau is most likely a copy produced and sold in the 60s or 70s in one of the Brisbane missionary societies, either the Central Methodist Mission, in Albert St, or the Anglican Church Mission, in Ann Street. A history yet to be told… These pictures were painted by Aboriginal people (probably), and there are many examples of this kind of “Brisbane bark paintings” floating around the secondary market. But what a pity that the NMA didn’t draw on its extensive holdings of authentic bark paintings from NE Arnhem Land to make their point? Here’s another example: signed “Tracey”, “Tracey Bull”, and “Kellie Bull” on verso.