The progress of Doh Soro

Collecting several objects from one carver gives the oportunity to compare the progress in technique, shape and proportion of a carver. The period of active working of Doh Soro is very short, because he suffered from mental disease at the age of 35. In average a Koulé starts to learn carving in the age of 12. Doh's timeframe to look at is about 20 years.

Doh Soro had an immense feeling for shape and proportion right on in his first maternité statues. The volume of the bodies of the mother and her children is very unique. He was strong from his early figures on and continued constantly staying in these proportions. He changed the shape of the shoulders from a geometric silhouette to a more softer and curved outline. Early statues show a heart shaped frame around the face. Later statues present a more complex construction of head with face and hairstyle. The eyes are threedimensionally carved. The expression in his statues is fierce.

In case of his rare Kpelié masks, his progress is more obvious. The early Kpelié doesn't show any of his characteristic features. The mask is not balanced and consistent. The right side is higher than the left side. The later carved Kpelié is steady and contains features of his statues, like the oval shaped mouth.

Keeping in mind, that he had such a short period of active time working, Doh Soro experienced a profound dialog in creating impressive sculptures.

Left: Kpelié mask, carved by Doh Soro,  Koulé from Djemntene, region of Korhogo. Early work.

34,0 x 16,0 x 9,0 cm, wood.

Literature:

- Wenn Urform Form bestimmt, Markus Ehrhard, pages 146 - 149.

Right: Kpelié mask, carved by Doh Soro, Koulé from Djemntene, region of Korhogo. Late work.

38,0 x 16,5 x 8,5 cm, wood.

Literature:

- Wenn Neuordnung Ordnung schafft, Markus Ehrhard, pages 118 - 121.

Copyright content and images by Markus Ehrhard