Warrior figure c. early 20th century

This “Warrior Figure” was made by Fon and lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Isn’t it amazing how materials speak? Imagine the artist assembling all these bits of metal, twisting them together to form this figure, almost like a warrior emerging from scraps. What were they thinking as they worked? Each piece has its own history, rust, and texture; all of them, it's like a collection of pasts coming together. The keys hanging around the warrior's neck add an extra layer of mystery. What do they unlock? Is it power, secrets, or maybe something else? These objects transform and suggest so many possibilities. It reminds me of the way artists use found objects, repurposing and breathing new life into the forgotten. Like the Dadaists before him, Fon is in an ongoing conversation, riffing off of found objects, using them to inspire new creations. This piece shows us how art can embrace ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own stories and interpretations.