Doh Soro

Doh Soro was one of the strongest carvers of the Senufo in recent time. Also the name Nambé Siriki circulates. It can not be identified, if that is his Senufo name. Sometimes a famous carver has different names depending on their status of Poro or on their religion. It is for sure, that he had a short time of active working. All researched informations agree that he suffered from mental disorder at the age of 35. It is not confirmed, that he is still alive. Information about health issues are kind of taboo.

His sculptures like Tugubele or Maternité statues, music instruments as the Debelé and especially his Kpelié masks are rare. Doh was specialized in maternity statues. He was not a famous carver, so it still is very difficult to research. Informations vary. But his work is to identify, because of the expressiveness and uniqueness of his compact sculpture. His style characteristics, like the large hands or bulky bodies, are not quite in the sence of Senufo aesthetic and not worth to imitate by other carvers.

Different stages of development can be recognized in his work. Early masks look pure and simple, masks made later are more complex in their own uniqueness. All of his Kpelié masks are carved extremely thin, the back show an enourmous volume. His early figures have flat eyes and the face has a heart shaped frame. Subsequent works reveal an extreme conception of physicality that has nothing to do with human anatomy. Characteristic for his masks and statues is the oval shaped mouth with rectangular teeth.

The different stages of tribal usage and patina can be compared in his work. Sometimes a statue looks like washed or sanded, another time a statue is completely dark because of black stain. His carving is very precise and he was very aware about shape, proportion and how to set for example a Maternité with twins on her lab together.