Mask c. 20th century

This mask, made by a Dan or Wobe artist, features a carved wood face, painted with an assortment of pigments, and embellished with cloth, string, and metal bells. The mask’s power lies not just in the natural materials, but also in the handwork that transformed them. Note the way the artist has carefully built up the form, and how they have integrated diverse materials like cast metal, woven cloth, and carved wood. The artist also added natural pigments to embellish the carving and add further dimension to the mask. This combination of techniques reflects a deep understanding of materials and the way they can be used to create an object that is both visually striking and culturally significant. The bells, the cloth, the carved wood, and the paint are humble materials, yet are skillfully brought together, blurring the boundaries between art and life, and revealing the social context of its creation.