In the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection of African Art stands this funerary statue. The shape and design of this statue is typical of the Kota culture from Gabon, and dates from the 1800s. It would have been a personal treasure — a guardian — meant to still keep lost loved ones close in the family. It represents the spirit of an ancestor, and was believed to help protect the deceased remains and the future of the community, as well. 
 
This giclée print is printed on rich Somerset Velvet archival paper. The drawing was meticulously created using only dots, carefully built up in layers to recreate the textures of the sculpture. It represents more than 10 hours of careful work, and the print is virtually indistinguishable from the original!