huge sculpture

Icon of Africa, this Cape buffalo stands strong, wary and alert. Artisan Sylvanus A. Agbolo in Ghana carves the beautiful sculpture by hand from solid ebony wood, allowing the wood's rich grain and color to be showcased. The beast's wrinkled hide and curved horns are expertly detailed in this one-of-a-kind statuette.

Ebony's dark brown color naturally has streaks or veins of a lighter brown that will vary slightly.

Crafting a simple, yet compelling sculpture, Kola Ogunsunlade Joseph portrays a woman gracefully balancing a log on her head. "In this piece is an indefatigable woman farmer carrying a huge log of wood from the farm back to the village. She needs it for firewood to prepare the evening meal for her family. This is a very common practice among the womenfolk in African villages," says the artist. He crafts the sculpture with a piston spring and pipe for the head, iron plate for the body, and an engine pulley for the base.

Taking an average of four days to create each sculpture, Kola Ogunsunlade Joseph carefully assembles recycled metal auto parts. An application of a clear varnish protects the piece and adds a gleaming, elegant finish.

The smooth grain of hibiscus wood highlights even contours in a playful mask by Made Tresna. This whimsical image portrays a person who succumbs to a huge, satisfying yawn.