Faculty Response:
Blog: Masks in Art: Identity or Disguise? (October 2023)
A mask conceals something from view. It can cover part of someone's face or their entire identity. It can be used to disguise, hide, protect, or frighten. A mask can be something that is physically worn, or something we wear metaphorically to change how we present ourselves to the world.
Historically, native people from many cultures created and wore masks for ceremonies to connect and communicate with the spirit world. Diverse cultures created different styles of masks based on materials available or specific beliefs. In some cultures, masks are thought to possess the power of healing. In others, masks are used in rites of passage rituals or used to stimulate fertility, prosperity, or ensure a successful harvest.
Masks, both physically and metaphorically, have also been portrayed in and been inspiration for artwork for centuries. Wooden masks he viewed in a museum had a profound impact on the way Pablo Picasso painted faces. The raw, flat planes of the wood were one of the main inspirations for Cubism; an early 20th century art movement, pioneered by Picasso and George Braque.
While masks are a way to disguise who we are, artists can also use them to make the viewer think about the identity of someone in a work of art. A covered face makes a person in an image more generic, leaving the viewer to question if the artwork is about a particular person or perhaps represents a larger group. Masks allow the wearer to become someone else- whether they are trying to hide something or change the face someone is presenting to the world. Masks can be found in several artworks in the GVSU collection. Which ones do you think tell the story of someone hiding behind the mask? Which ones explore different ways in how we present ourselves?
Read the full blog here.
A mask conceals something from view. It can cover part of someone's face or their entire identity. It can be used to disguise, hide, protect, or frighten. A mask can be something that is physically worn, or something we wear metaphorically to change how we present ourselves to the world.
Historically, native people from many cultures created and wore masks for ceremonies to connect and communicate with the spirit world. Diverse cultures created different styles of masks based on materials available or specific beliefs. In some cultures, masks are thought to possess the power of healing. In others, masks are used in rites of passage rituals or used to stimulate fertility, prosperity, or ensure a successful harvest.
Masks, both physically and metaphorically, have also been portrayed in and been inspiration for artwork for centuries. Wooden masks he viewed in a museum had a profound impact on the way Pablo Picasso painted faces. The raw, flat planes of the wood were one of the main inspirations for Cubism; an early 20th century art movement, pioneered by Picasso and George Braque.
While masks are a way to disguise who we are, artists can also use them to make the viewer think about the identity of someone in a work of art. A covered face makes a person in an image more generic, leaving the viewer to question if the artwork is about a particular person or perhaps represents a larger group. Masks allow the wearer to become someone else- whether they are trying to hide something or change the face someone is presenting to the world. Masks can be found in several artworks in the GVSU collection. Which ones do you think tell the story of someone hiding behind the mask? Which ones explore different ways in how we present ourselves?
Read the full blog here.
Current Location:
South Apartment D -> 1st Floor (bldg D)Location Notes:
South D; 1st fl., Entry Rm. 115, N. WallTree Hugger
Artwork
Medium:
Digital PrintDate:
2010Dimensions:
Artworks - Height: 20 in Width: 13 inDescription:
Digital Photograph of a man with dreadlocks who has bright green leaves on his face in the shape of a mask. He is holding a large pile of dirt in his hands. He is wearing no shirt.
Historical Context:
"The face may be a good identification of the body, but is certainly not the soul. The face is the most recognizable feature on one's body, hence the choice for mug shots, driver's licenses, and other forms of photo ID. What I believe makes up the "soul" of one person is their interests, personalities, hobbies and other similar traits. These aspects really define who a person really is, not what the person looks like. By physically masking the face with objects that reflect the above-mentioned traits, I create a duality that conceals the identity of the person, but uses the face to reflect each person's 'soul'." -Bethany Nolin
Library of Congress Subjects:
Digital printingLeaves
Mud
Dreadlocks
Photography
Photography of the human body
Nature photography