An artist can create something that could represent not only what they put into it, but also that person's lifestyle. In Bala Saho's lecture he spoke about African wood carving and everything that makes it such a special material. He said wood carving "communicates aspects of culture such as belief systems, customs, politics and social organization." This is done in the way that artists appreciate the process of making a wood sculpture and the spiritual elements that come into play, such as how the piece of wood must undergo a ritual and the spirits must be appeased. In John W. Nunley's reading “West African Sculpture: Sacred Space, Spirit, and Power,” he explains how “the ways in which African art relates to the spiritual realm through connection or juxtaposition of forms” (p.1 ) is important to represent something other than art. When making a wooden person, the head is larger than the scale, as it is believed to be the key to a person's destiny and success. Another form of wood carving is to include animals, such as putting animal parts on a mask as a connecting element between the person and that animal. The artist connects the spiritual world and the real world through his sacred artwork and by investing in his art he can express himself however he wishes.