Mask c. 20th century

This mask, made by an artist from the Pende people, sits in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Its mixed media construction involves carving wood, painting, and attaching raffia fibers to create something visually striking and spiritually significant. I wonder what it might have been like to make something like this. Imagine carefully carving the wood, shaping the face, and adding those horn-like protrusions at the top. The contrasting colors—dark browns and light beiges—create a stark, dramatic effect, especially around the eyes and mouth. Then there's that river of raffia—a curtain that gives the mask a sense of movement. The whole thing is so tactile! You just know the artist worked with their hands, feeling the textures, balancing the different elements to bring this object to life. I think this object shows us how art can blur boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms, inviting us to consider how our creativity connects us to something bigger.