Babu Ani. Javanese Woman 1922

Svend Rathsack made this sculpture, 'Babu Ani. Javanese Woman,' from plaster sometime in the early 20th century, and it's now here with us at the SMK. I love how the artist seems to have revelled in the process, the way the material has been so lovingly built up and smoothed to create the overall form. Look closely, and you can see the slight variations in texture and tone across the surface of this piece, which invite us to see how the light catches the subtle undulations of the sculpture. The details, such as the eyes and the curve of the mouth, invite us to contemplate the experience of the sitter. The even tonality of the material as a whole invites comparison with the work of modernists such as Brancusi, in the way the solid form and smooth surface are the focus, over details such as ornamentation and surface texture. Ultimately, this piece is an invitation to reflect on the materiality of sculpture, and the way it can be used to create a space for contemplation and reflection.