Currency c. mid 20th century

Editor: This is “Currency,” a mid-20th century piece by Angas or Afo people. It seems to be constructed primarily of wood, and perhaps some ceramic elements, but it presents this very stern, almost stoic figure to the viewer. What visual narratives or historical symbols do you think resonate here? Curator: It evokes a visual echo of something deeply embedded within, doesn’t it? That stern form, abstracted yet powerfully present, calls forth layered meanings. Considering its title, “Currency,” think about value – what has lasting value, both within a culture and how a culture presents value outwards. This work doesn't depict coins or material wealth directly. Rather, its austere form may represent a different type of currency: lineage, status, spiritual power. The patina alone, the wear of time etched onto the surface, serves as a visual reminder of memory and inherited identity. What qualities of leadership or inheritance can you glean from the overall visual vocabulary? Editor: That makes sense. So, you're thinking the spear-like projection might symbolize leadership or strength? And the material itself…the worn wood… is also part of its message? Curator: Precisely! Consider the spear not just as a weapon but as a signifier of protection and authority. And the worn texture. The aging isn't just decay. It's evidence of continuous cultural significance, each scratch telling its own quiet story. It suggests continuity – the passing down of values across generations. This isn't just about an individual. It’s about the collective, their history literally etched into this… object. Do you think the form's minimalist abstraction detracts from, or enhances its cultural weight? Editor: I think it enhances it! The simplicity makes you focus on those key symbolic features that carry meaning across generations. Thank you. Curator: Indeed. Seeing how forms, however simple, can become powerful archives of cultural memory—it helps us better understand value that goes beyond simple financial worth.