Bottle c. 20th century

This gourd bottle was made by an artist from the Pokot people, and sits in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It is decorated with a mix of silver, beads and string, and has a band around its slender neck. I can imagine the artist carefully selecting each bead, placing each piece of silver. There’s a sensitivity to the shape of the gourd itself, and a desire to embellish it, to make it even more special. And I am drawn to the juxtaposition of the smooth gourd with the intricate metalwork and the colorful beads. The beads and metalwork are laid in vertical lines. The way it is hung makes me think of an African version of a Duchamp bottle rack. All artists are constantly inspired by and building upon the work of others, across time and cultures, and this beautiful bottle is no exception. It’s an ongoing conversation, a dance of ideas and creativity.