Craft and structure: history 8

A Must-See at the Denver Art Museum

1. If you’re ever in Colorado, you should make every attempt to visit the Native Arts-Africa collection at the Denver Art Museum. There are many notable works of art in this collection—from ancient to modern. However, there’s one piece that deserves special attention: Nigerian-born Olowe Ise’s carved House Post. Some scholars might argue that the Egungun mask, or the Sowei mask, have more importance. I disagree. Although the masks were made by expert African craftsmen and have merit, they lack the artistic details and creativity of Ise’s House Post.
2. Ise’s House Post once adorned a wealthy African’s porch. The engraved post features a horse and rider held up on a platform by four figures: two male and two female. Olowe Ise (1860–1936) was a renowned carver admired for his spirited high-relief style. Wealthy Africans, including some kings, would hire Ise to carve elaborate doors, wall panels, and posts. If you’ve been to the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, you’ve probably admired Ise’s carved door from a Nigerian king’s palace. Both the door, and Denver’s house post, are remarkable examples of Ise’s creative style.
3. So what makes Ise’s work so outstanding? His carvings, though simple, are able to evoke a strong sense of power. Ise accomplished this feeling using certain artistic techniques. For example, most of Ise’s work includes figures that have large exaggerated features. If you view the house post, notice how all of the figures (including the horse) have large, bulging eyes. This technique makes the figures seem “all-seeing,” and thus all-knowing. Another technique Ise employed was the use of balance. For instance, the seated horse and rider is supported equally on a platform by two men and two women. The sense of balance gives power to the seated rider. When a leader has balance among his people, as shown through the carving, the leader has power.
4. I suggest you check out Ise’s work up close and see for yourself. The house post is on the fourth floor of the museum. However, if you aren’t heading to Denver anytime soon, you can still examine Ise’s work on the museum’s website.