This painting is 40x50cm. Painted on cotton canvas, and professionally stretched with d-rings and hanging string

As a child in PNG we had a house girl. I remember her as this vibrant dark skinned nurturing woman. I don’t remember her face, her name or anything about her other than the energy she gave off. In the 70’s local women who worked as nannies, maids or cooks for white expats in PNG were called housegirl. It’s an offensive legacy of colonialism that I hope doesn’t hang on till today.

Ayah is a word still associated with colonialism, but has portugese roots in the word aia for governess. Whilst it may have other connotations in India, for me it represents a warmer more personal connection to our house girl, who is forgotten to me other than the warmth and the energy around her. 
Pikinnini means small child in pidgin English.

Shipping: Painting will be packed with bubblewrap and reinforced cardboard package.  Select Medium Paintings Australia, or Ship Any paintings to rest of the world.