Horned Forest Spirit Mask c. 20th century

This Horned Forest Spirit Mask was carved by the Kuba people. The piece is made of wood, a material that speaks to the process of carving, where the artist coaxes form from a resistant, natural material. The dark tones of the wood give it a weathered, earthy feel, as if it really came from the forest. The texture of the wood is a bit rough, the lines of the mask are pronounced, almost exaggerated, like when you are painting and you keep going over and over the lines, making them thicker and darker. Look at the way the horns curl, mirroring each other with a kind of playful symmetry. The tiny triangles above the brow, almost an afterthought, bring in a moment of light and rhythm. It reminds me a little of how Philip Guston would add those little shoes or pyramids, grounding the composition. It’s a way of seeing the world, really. A way of making and unmaking.