Headrest c. 20th century

This headrest, made of wood, was crafted by the Gurage people and is now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The object is carved and worked to a smooth finish, with a rich luster across the surfaces. I'm really drawn to the way the dark lines score the surface. They run around the object, defining and accentuating its form. Each line seems to be precisely placed, the product of a steady hand and eye. You can almost feel the maker's patient focus, circling and refining the shape. These lines speak of process, of time passing as the wood is slowly transformed into something both functional and beautiful. This reminds me that art isn't always about wild gestures or grand statements. Sometimes it's about quiet dedication, about the subtle, rhythmic act of making. Like Agnes Martin's lines, these markings have a meditative quality, inviting you to slow down and contemplate the simple pleasure of repetition and the inherent beauty of natural materials.