Protect the Forest Red and White Wooden Wall Mask

About this item

• About our Artist: "From a young age, I had a passion for painting, but I doubted if I could sustain myself with it, which led me to explore other career options," reflects Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. "I spent time watching master carver Musa in his workshop, and eventually, I decided to take a piece of wood and create a mask, inspired by his technique. He was taken aback by my initiative and offered to guide me in honing my craft. I quickly grew fond of this new artistic pursuit, and that’s how I became a master carver in my own right!"
• : This long, narrow face could appear in the trunk of a tree, crowned by slender branches. Carved by hand from seasoned African African rubberwood, it is the expert handiwork of Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. "This mask is used by the Gonja people of Northern Ghana," he explains. "It is used to protect their forest, which they believe is the resting place of their ancestors." Named Koholo – a Gonja word that means "protect the jungle," it receives its white coloration from applications of clay.