Masks lie at the root of every culture. They allow us to disguise ourselves, to mimic others, and to reveal our alter-egos. The personification of mysterious outside forces, our ancestors employed them in magic. We employ them as façades to disguise or express our true selves.
This work explores the primordial drive to find our place in the world while hiding behind a facade.
Orb Weaver, Cycle/Place
The Orb Weaver series began with the “rescue” of a tattered butterfly from an Orb Weaver spider’s web in my garden. I found the butterfly dead on my path the following morning, having completed its life’s cycle and feeding no one.
Orb Weaver I
Pencil on handmade rice paper with inclusions from the garden and from the spider’s web. Its presentation box and mount is covered in paper handmade in Thailand and lined in velveteen. The box and lid measure 9 x 9 x 6 inches. The mask may be hung using the attached hardware or stored covered.
Orb Weaver II
Handmade paper mask with Conte Crayon on rice paper handmade by the artist with inclusions from the garden.
Wild Beasts
Assorted Wild Beast Masks, formed of paper made from scratch with ingredients from the garden.
Autumn Leaves Mask
Conte Crayon on paper handmade from recycled art papers with inclusions of autumn leaves.
Degas’ Dancers Mask
Part of a continuing series of masks decorated after other artists and cultures.