Julie Shearer: Fijian War Club

Artist: Julie Shearer
1938 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 9 by 7.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 12 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

They appear almost ferocious, bedecked in black paint and the costumes of their ancestors. The dancers wear bunched sashes of native tapa cloth, shaggy garlands and anklets of vines. As the dance progresses, they pursue, they flee, they dodge as the enemy skillfully retaliates with darts and thrusts. The audience watches, fascinated by the waving of fans, always carried to distract the enemy's eye from jabbing spears and the fierce War Club. The War Club is perhaps the most imporatant part of the dance, as it was once the most imporant part of any warrior's gear. Even today, Fijian War Clubs are elaborate symbols of strength and power, and they must meet rigorous standards to be accepted for use in Fiji war dances. Legend has it that the original War Club carvers were washed ashore on the island of Kambara druing a hurricane. And, today, it is the people of Kambara and their ancestors who skillfully carve the intricate War Clubs. Each Club is made to order and is proudly displayed by the strong, agile warrior-dancer of today's Fiji. In modern times, the once-fierce and deadly war dances are part of the traditional Yaqona Ceremony of welcome. In lighter moments, dancers mingle among the crowd smiling and joking with tourists and teasing children who respond with shrieks of delight. War dances once meant war and death but today only the tradition is preserved. And, in Fiji, where great importance is placed on ancient tribal custom, the war dances are still a vital part of life.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Fiji 6¢ Tourism stamp issued August 18, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06562

US$ Price: Reg. $2,500.00 Today $1,250.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.