Standing male figure c. early 20th century

This “Standing Male Figure” was carved by Beembe, and is made of wood. Look at the way it catches the light. There's a real conversation happening between the artist's hand and the material here. The surface feels both smooth and rough, like a well-worn object that's been handled and loved. This sculpture rewards close looking. The texture, with its subtle variations and irregularities, invites your fingers to trace the contours of the figure, experiencing the process of its making. See how the artist uses repeated shapes, like the little star motif on his shoulders and then again on the front of his torso. These carved shapes create a rhythm that makes you want to move your eyes up and down the figure. It reminds me of some of the early modernist sculptors like Brancusi, who were also interested in simplifying forms to their essence. It’s like a poem, something that resonates through time.