I've worked at the Met for 29 years; I've never even applied for any other job. So I've been looking at the African sculpture Seated Figure for many, many years. He's from the 13th century, he's very powerful and poetic, and on his back he has these markings; it looks like he's been through affliction.
He sort of speaks to me, saying, What I have endured, I have survived; the pain is behind me and now it decorates me. He's so ancient and he survived, even just being here in the museum.
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