Detail Views

Those with more than a passing familiarity with tribal art will note the similarity of these Nepalese minimalist wooden figures to similar pieces from the Indonesian Archipelago, some areas of Oceania, and a strong semblance to the Ifugao Bulul and Luzon Anito figures of the Philippines. These types of cross cultural parallels among peoples separated by vast geographic distances are very interesting. It brings to mind the concept of subconscious archetypes that are an innate psychological component of humanity, and which therefore reveal themselves with only minor variation amongst groups separated in both time and space. I think this is why so many of us are attracted to tribal / primitive art - it strikes a very deep chord within our being. We connect with our common humanity, and sense something closer to essence - uncorrupted by generations of urban domestication and an overdeveloped material environment - the "affliction of comfort" so many of us in the west are stricken with. We catch a glimpse of our own reflection, but an untamed and raw likeness, that refreshes and invigorates us.