Bomber Bax, Decorated Angola Chokwe Mask, 2022, Paint on Vintage Mask

Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy.
The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished.
On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross of the Order of Christ.
Chokwe masks are often performed during celebrations marking the completion of initiation into adulthood. That occasion also marks the dissolution of the bonds of intimacy between mothers and children. The pride and sorrow that the event represents for Chokwe women is hinted at by the tear motif, as we can see from the mask, a carving is visible to represent the tear.
This mask was revisited by the artist Bomber Bax in 2022, through the use of futuristic paints reminiscent of the Martian world. We see the forehead in a very beautiful rosy gold colour, while the rest of the face has been painted in silver.
Splendid piece of interior design!