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Show pg 9 The use of found objects aligned with my thoughts about empowerment and mind fakes, and a conceptual idea began to form. Could I reinterpret a basket to become a mask that would, in turn, give me the power to believe in its new narrative? For example, in changing the physical context of what a mask is-such as a basket-it becomes redefined, and this new definition requires a reinterpretation of what the mask is, which may or may not change the mask's narrative. By redefining the physical representation of the mask, its metaphorical and spiritual identity are thrown into upheaval and the identity of the mask is changed. It seemed to me that the mask operates as a stand-in for persona, or rather a gateway, in the form of permission, to take on a persona. The mask emphasizes, in particular, the fluid interchangeability of persona, itself. I had been dabbling for some time with the concept that by using the mask as a physical manifestation of persona, then redefining and reinterpreting the mask, we can grant ourselves the freedom (or at least provide a channel) to rewrite, redefine, and reinterpret our own self narrative. During one of the first committee meetings I had, Dan Evans pointed out the many illustrations on my wall. "What is all this and why do you keep showing us these?" he asked. He did not know this, but I had been keeping them on the wall for validation. The Whisperer came into my mind again, and awoke me to my own internal conflict. The mask (the persona, as they are one and the same) of Illustrator was one I desperately wanted to wear, I just did not know how. |
