Mod 10-Mask

I chose these three images because I believe they provide a good example of the variation of masks in the African art world.

In the first mask the artists uses repetition and pattern through the cut out triangles, but also through the placement of the triangles a new form of line is made; implied line. This unrealistic, representation of a face appears to be mimicking that of a frilled lizard with its shield out to scare prey and predators. There is also a strong sense of symmetry.

In the second mask the artist takes a more realistic approach to a face, although it is still abstracted and exaggerated. There is exaggeration in the forehead which is emphasized by the beaded hair that is attached. There is symmetry in this mask as well, although it is less exact than the first mask. The artist uses curvilinear geometric shapes like the circle and and the curving X. As well, the lines shown follow the contours of the face, and the shapes could be representing a hairline.

In the third, the masks the artist has created are a representation of zebras. Both masks has a physical symmetry although the stripes are not all symmetrical, as they wouldn’t be in real life either. The masks were painted black and carved into, but the remaining yellowish color is the wood itself. The masks are both carved into at the bottom to show the puckering of the lips on the zebras. This attention to detail shows how important these masks really are.

In my mask I wanted to represent in some way the form of art that is Drag races. Specifically I wanted to represent how drag queens paint their faces bigger than they really are. I relate this to African Masks because both take the human form and morph it into something bigger than it really is to transform it into something with more meaning. I was really looking forward to creating a new face on a mask that already has a pretty flat boring neutral face. I used great exaggeration and emphasis on the mouth and eyes; making them look bigger, and angrier. I used the symbol with the four sides because it is often used in animes to show when a person is frustrated or mad.

I created my mask with a plain boring face mask from the craft store, and some acrylic paint. I sketched some random ideas based on the reading and the videos and also background knowledge and influence. It's funny how so many things can relate to mask making. I went with a pop art style with the lines, while still keeping the painterly lines to show it as chaotic.