Eharo Dance Mask before 1930

This Eharo Dance Mask was made by the Elema people. The mask has a curious, ghost-like presence; it's fabricated with such directness and simplicity. Look at how the facial features are arranged, the concentric circles of the eyes, the open mouth, and think about the artist's hand as they made the mask. I like to imagine the mask maker deciding, "Okay, here's where the mouth is going to be," and then building it into this form. It’s an act of improvisation that requires vision and problem-solving skills. It has a powerful presence. I imagine it being like a performance, where the mask comes alive through movement and expression. It reminds me that art isn't just about what you see, but what it makes you feel and imagine.