Congolese wood African mask, "Alert Boa Warrior"

"Evans Doe is my name. While in school, I had always admired carvings and so I arranged for training courses whenever I was on vacation. I graduated in carving in 1994 thanks to my mentor and source of inspiration, the late Ekow Kuntu, a renowned wood carver.

"I was going through some financial difficulties during my school days, but thanks to my carvings I was able to pull myself through, since I was able to sell the small pieces I made. But I only made them in small quantities, just to enough to pull me through certain circumstances until one day I met Mr. Peter Wolfgang Nkrumah [a Novica featured artist]. He has been of great help to me by teaching me how to improve quality and and about intricate styles of finishing carved pieces. I must admit that I didn't know much about all these different styles and finishing techniques until I met Mr. Nkrumah.

"As of now, carving has been of help to me and has, in point of fact, made me the breadwinner of my family - they all look to and count on me for their day-to-day survival. My products have been taken to craft markets in France and Germany by a good friend, and these markets have shown wonderful and incredible interest in them. This has earned me a place to attend various arts and craft fairs both locally and internationally. I have showcased several of my products at these fairs, gaining admiration from my customers and art critics.

"It is my desire to make products of great professional quality in skills and materials, so as many people as possible will be able to adorn their homes with my products."