Story Board c. 20th century

Curator: Right, let's look at this interesting piece. It’s called "Story Board," estimated to be from the 20th century. We don't know who made it, but it's a wooden carving currently held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, seemingly coming out of an Indigenous Americas tradition. Editor: Well, my first thought is that it feels really tactile. I want to touch it, trace those figures in the boat. The color has a rich, earthy warmth to it. Like looking at something aged and elemental, telling ancient secrets, maybe? Curator: It definitely invites that sense of connection to a story. Notice the composition – a boat filled with people, figures on top, fish below, all framed within an oval shape. It’s like a contained narrative world, perhaps depicting a specific journey or myth. The act of carving is in itself linked to memory practices. What’s included and what is omitted. Editor: I am intrigued by the figures on top that seem to be rowing. They're a bit surreal and stylized. There's this wonderful mixture of flatness and depth. What kind of societal position are they having, seemingly watching over and helping the characters within the boat. Curator: Yes, the stylization speaks to a unique artistic language. Historians often point out that this kind of Indigenous art served a public function, transmitting cultural values and beliefs. Consider how the anonymous status of the artist impacts our interpretation. Does it become more about the collective story rather than individual expression? Or maybe, as a storyteller, it is more powerful because the author stays hidden and the listener interprets. Editor: Interesting perspective. Maybe the anonymity enhances the universal feel, so we project our own narratives onto it more freely. For me, the imperfect, hand-carved quality heightens the emotional impact. I am aware of my body and what I am touching and feeling. Curator: It's certainly an intriguing piece that opens many possibilities. It shows the lasting impact of stories crafted in wood. Editor: Definitely. A reminder that storytelling is not just in books—it's etched in the world around us. I feel encouraged to be bold and authentic.