awaynestudio

The fact they are masks and you used the term "tribal" behavior is a connection I didn't think of before. I imagined the mask motif working as you mentioned before...a mask as a tool to hide the abuse suffered. The use of color in ceramics always throws me off in my work. The changes in color when a glaze is fired to maturity, layered, or mingling with others gives me fits. Your piece here seems to be sticking monochromatic...is that how you usually work? I think the "self-gratification" route is best and if done with no inhibition really shines through to the viewer. But it's always been hard for me not see art as communication and feel I should try to convey a message of sorts.

This reminds of a passage in "Ways of Seeing" by Berger. There's a painting at the bottom of a page with birds flying over a cornfield and no description, the author asks you to have a long look then turn the page. At the top of the next page is the same painting with the passage "this is the last painting Van Gogh painted before he killed himself". He's trying to prove how now the painting serves to illustrate the sentence. When I first saw your mask I noticed the pressed pattern along side the face and tried to create a dialogue between those two things. After reading your description I can't see it the same way. "what was I thinking?' - I always find myself trying to find a balance between what I want to express and how it will be read by others. I honestly don't think that's the ideal way to create but I go back to something with fresh eyes another day and realize even I don't see it as I did the day before. I agree with Pres in that "how do I feel...what about myself" way art strikes people. Every viewer is going to bring something different, so best we can hope for is to satisfy our own creative expression. The masks you've made are loaded with content. I think they exemplify some of the best reasons to make art. It's serving a purpose in the community and creating a dialogue. I know so many events have tried to go online with covid but there's no way to replace an "art opening" event and talking to the artist to hear about the process and intention.