Ring c. 20th century

This little ring, safely housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is made from shell and stone. I imagine the artist carefully selecting each piece of shell, thoughtfully arranging the black, orange, and turquoise stones. It's like a tiny abstract painting, each element contributing to the overall composition. Was there a specific person they imagined? Looking at the ring, I wonder about the artist’s intentions—maybe they wanted to capture the essence of something intangible, like joy or a sense of grounded spirituality. The anonymous artist echoes countless artists throughout history who have been driven by a deep need to create. There’s a conversation happening across time, a dialogue between makers. And for us, the viewers, this artwork is like an open door, inviting us to participate, to bring our own interpretations to the forefront.