Through dreams a person acquires the gift of the
sculptor's art. And through dreams the Gle, or
forest spirit, appears in full form to male initiates,
telling them of the type of mask they wish made
for their appearance on earth. The initiate then
informs the village elders the details of the mask;
and it is they, the old venerables who decide
whether it should be made and who should make
it. The finished product, as in the case of this
remarkable mask, is the result of wisdom, skill
and inspiration.
Though paint was a European import, the African
artist uses it to great advantage. The features of
this mask seem to explode from the face; with
rocket shaped eyes, protruding forehead, disc-
shaped cheeks and large, fat lips. A shocking red
band across the nose is not only dramatic, but
serves to draw attention to the black pupils. Two
white bands down the middle of each jowl add a
vertical element to the mask's otherwise
horizontal construction. There is an extraordinary
sense of joy and amusement from this mask, as if
the spirit who inspired it came to earth for the
sake of laughter and fun.
- (PF.4987)
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