Helmet mask Date Unknown

Editor: This intriguing sculpture, called "Helmet Mask," is of unknown date, and comes to us from the Mende or Southern Bullom (Sherbro) people. Carved from wood, it resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I am immediately struck by its imposing presence and the elaborate patterns etched into the dark wood. It almost feels like the mask is gazing back at me. What stories do you think this piece could tell? Curator: It whispers tales, doesn't it? Like echoes from a dream I once had, where faces emerged from ancient trees. These masks, used in performances, are about more than just appearance; they embody spirits, ideals. The elaborate carvings aren't just decoration, but a visual language, hints about power, status, maybe even lineage. Editor: So, what's your reading of the language here? Curator: Look at the smooth, almost serene face, juxtaposed with those…are they stylized wings? Or elaborate hair ornaments? This is a dance of opposites. Inner peace with outward authority. Perfection with abstraction. How fascinating to hold all those paradoxes together, like trying to catch the moon in a bucket! Editor: The idea of the moon in a bucket, such a perfect expression for what it’s like to ponder complex histories. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. This little sojourn only proves how we never look at artworks just once.