Masks are used to enhance, conceal, and or transform; they can manifest many a facade, be it beautiful, terrifying, and or deceiving. While exploring the concept of masks I became very interested in clowns and began to interpret their symbolism in context to society and to my own experience. Clowns have an interesting dichotomy - they are associated with jokes and laughter, yet many people find them eerie or horrifying. The nature of this exploration is simultaneously pleasing to the eye and yet uncomfortable, with dark undertones challenging the aesthetic. These masks are presented in a formal way any posses a duality that is ultimately silly in nature but complicated in concept and approach. Similar themes are prevalent throughout my work. At first glance the work is endearing and sometimes even adorable, yet upon second look, the viewer is challenged with an aftermath of something “creepy.”
These are clown masks I made for a site specific gallery space, The Blue Door Project, in downtown Roxbury MA. A few friends and I helped to clean up and convert an old hallway into a gallery space.
I made these masks and never envisioned them living inside painted frames, but I am really happy with how they came out.
