Hunting scene (with cattle and snake)

Putli Ganju was born in the remote jungle village of Saheda in the state of Bihar, Northeastern India. This work is in the Sohrai style of 'adivasi' ( literally 'ancient inhabitants') painting, a style passed down from generation to generation in a matrilineal fashion. Such works are usually painted as murals on the external walls, courtyards and floors of houses to celebrate the harvest season.

This work was created in Sydney, at djamu Gallery as part of an artists' residency in conjunction with the exhibition 'Back to the walls. Murals from Australia and India'. It is typical of Putli Ganju's work depicting a lively and playful scene of figures and animals including snakes, birds, lizards, deer and a cow. On the left hand side of the painting are the figures of two hunters carrying their four-legged beastly catch slung over a pole. The limited palette of colours, in black, yellow and brown on a white ground, is typical of this style, and the design is made fluid and lyrical by the use of bold brushstrokes and the clever patterning of the outlined shapes.