Hand drum (kundu) c. 20th century

This hand drum, or Kundu, was crafted by the Iatmul people, and I love the way the making process is laid bare, right there on the surface. The wood is carved away, leaving these incredible intricate patterns in relief, like raised drawings almost. The artist didn't try to hide the tool marks; they're part of the story. Look at the crocodile, perched so casually on top. It's got this wonderfully naive quality, but at the same time, it’s powerful and commanding. I'm drawn to the contrast between the smooth, polished wood of the drum's body and the rougher, textured areas with all the incised lines. Each mark seems deliberate, a kind of meditation. When you see it you get the idea that every cut counts, every line has a purpose. It reminds us that art-making is a conversation, a back and forth between the artist and the material. It makes me think of Giacometti. Both artists share this urge to give form to the un-nameable, and to see where that takes them.