Mamua c. 1926

Curator: Here we have Alfred J. Oakley's "Mamua," a wood sculpture currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: Oh, she's lovely! There's a real serene quality to her gaze, a gentle melancholy. Curator: I'm struck by the material itself. The wood grain is so prominent; you can see the history of the tree still present in the finished piece. Editor: It's as if Oakley coaxed her from the very soul of the wood, those spiraling locks tumbling down feel so alive. Curator: Indeed. And how did his social standing as a white man influence the creation and viewing of this wood carving? Editor: Exactly. There is a tangible sense of reverence and humanization in Oakley's artistic vision that really resonates. Curator: Considering Oakley's other carvings, this piece reflects the labor inherent to sculpting wood. Editor: It certainly does, "Mamua" invites contemplation on the beauty we can create together. Curator: Very interesting, to see wood in this kind of sculptural form. Editor: I concur.