Mask c. 20th century

This Mask at the Minneapolis Institute of Art by an artist from Kuba, is a powerful object of wood, copper, beads, and fur! The artist is so attuned to the inherent qualities of the materials: the grain of the wood, the sheen of the copper, the texture of the fur—and then uses their skills to bring these elements together. I imagine the artist carefully selecting each piece of wood, feeling its weight and considering its shape. Then, with precision and care, they carve the wood, revealing the face within. The copper dome, with its stitched seam, sits atop the mask, adding another layer of form and meaning. What really strikes me is the way the artist has combined these hard and soft materials. The result is a complex interplay of textures and surfaces. The beads draw your eye, and the fur brings a sense of playfulness and warmth. It reminds us that artists are always in conversation with each other, drawing inspiration from the world around them, using materials to express something deeply human.