I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with masks. I remember as an art student wandering the cold Dunedin streets coming across a small gallery workshop in Moray place. Walking up the stairs to the gallery there were beautiful richly colored elaborate masks lining the walls. Made from paper mache, with feathers and fabric adorning them, I was stunned and amazed. I can’t remember who made them now, but I had quite a lengthy discussion and she kindly gave me a beautifully crafted mask base.

Thanks, you wonderful inspirational person!

The mask base that I use to shape my masks is underneath this one in progress.

I left the gallery with a sense of wonder, but my artistic direction wandered off into large abstract paintings for a while (Large abstract paintings seemed to be the thing to do in the 90’s)

Well, I had hung on to the mask and the seed of an idea, and fast forward 30 years I am using it to provide the shaping for the masks I am making now.

I was making wall hung masks or ‘heads’ I suppose, not made to be worn, and made from paper mache. I liked the idea of a mask that looked good on a wall, but also could be worn, so made some from paper mache with flower clay adornments.

Made from paper mache with flower clay details.

I then decided to make them lighter and try flower clay for the whole thing. This is what I love about ideas and materials, they spark off each other. I also love that some inspiration from 30 years ago is impacting my decisions today!

They are still not a mask you would want to wear for a long time, but I like the idea that they could be worn for a bit. Have some great ideas about photos with then being worn. I have some inspiration from some artwork I have seen, might have to do it sooner than 30 years…..