Male Figure c. 20th century

This sculpture of a male figure, made by an Ewe artist, stands here in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I love the directness of it, how the artist has worked with the wood, letting the material speak. There’s an honesty to the carving – you can see the marks of the tools, the way the surface hasn't been overly smoothed or polished. The wood has this lovely, warm tone, and the darkened areas at the base suggest it's been handled, maybe even danced with, absorbing oils and dirt over time. Look at the face; the closed eyes and serene expression give him a sense of inner peace. It’s like the artist was interested in capturing not just a likeness but a feeling, a presence. It reminds me of some of the early modernist sculptures, like those by Constantin Brancusi, in its simplification and search for essential forms. But here, there's also a connection to tradition, to the purpose and power that these objects held within their community. It's a reminder that art is always part of a bigger conversation, reaching across time and cultures.