Strong Box c. 1940

This “Strong Box” was made by Chris Makrenos, sometime between 1855 and 1995; I wonder what materials he used? When I look at this coffer, I imagine Chris in his workshop, carefully selecting wood of all different shades, patiently piecing together this puzzle of images on the box’s surface. I love the horse, how it seems to trot along a wavy plane; and these sunbursts set off with diamonds. It’s as if Chris wanted to capture the wonder of the world in a box. There are so many patterns – how did he know when to stop? There's such care and ingenuity in the composition, which makes it feel very intimate, like a gift. This box reminds me of the work of other self-taught artists who create their own visual language, with the aim to communicate their memories and dreams. I can imagine other artists gathering around this work, swapping stories and techniques, exchanging the gift of inspiration across time.