Lintel 

Editor: This is "Lintel," a wooden carving, identified as Yoruba art, crafted by Olowe of Ise. Its verticality is striking, a totem-like presence defined by stacked figures with hands held to their faces. It feels simultaneously regal and…obstructed. How might we interpret this intriguing piece? Curator: The Lintel, placed above a doorway, signified entry into a space of power. Olowe of Ise was celebrated for his innovations within Yoruba art. Consider how the scale of such carvings related to the patrons - royalty, and how this imagery reinforced their status. Notice also the intricate detailing on the faces and hands, signs of considerable artistic skill and the resources available to commission such work. How do you see these details working in the service of power? Editor: I see the attention to detail. But the hands covering the eyes are confusing; it hides the supposed 'power' you speak of. Doesn’t hiding the eyes seem contradictory? Curator: Perhaps it suggests something more complex than simple power, maybe the acknowledgement of a divine realm not visible to everyday eyes, and hinting at the responsibility, sometimes burden, of leadership within such realms. Think of how religious imagery throughout history often presents access to the divine, veiled or inaccessible. Editor: So it's about seeing, but maybe seeing beyond the surface? Curator: Precisely. Olowe’s work often played with perspective and symbolism; his sculptures, architectural elements like this lintel, acted as powerful markers of status, communicating complex messages about power and spirituality to those entering the space. Editor: It is less about earthly and more about heavenly power! Curator: Exactly! We see how social context profoundly shapes artistic choices and the power imbued in what we now view as art. Editor: Thanks, it puts Olowe's amazing artwork in an appropriate perspective.