Framed male figure c. early 20th century

This ‘Framed male figure’, by Holo, is a small wooden carving. It’s a figure within a frame, and the frame itself is part of the story. I’m drawn to how the figure fills the space, almost bursting out. He’s not contained; instead, he embraces the frame, pushing against its boundaries. The wood has this beautiful, deep color, and you can see the marks of the hand that shaped it. The texture invites you to touch, to feel the process of its making. Look at the pattern on the frame: the triangles and the way they repeat. It’s like a rhythm, a beat that holds the figure in place but also sets him free. It reminds me of Martin Puryear, who also coaxes so much from wood. Art’s about exchange, a conversation across time. This piece invites us to join in, to bring our own stories and see what emerges. It's not about knowing everything but about staying open to the many possible meanings.