We All Wear a Mask

These masks were inspired by my thoughts about people and how we perceive things. In general, we judge things and make up our minds based on what we see and hear. I chose to make these without eyes and ears and only focus on the sense of smell, taste, and touch (the texture of the masks). How would our views change if we couldn't see? What if we couldn't hear? We wouldn't see or hear any evil, but then again, we also wouldn't see and hear the good things.

About: We All Wear a Mask

When I think about my work I think about judgments, how quickly we make them before giving people a chance. First impressions are so difficult to change, and it takes numerous interactions before you change your mind about someone.

These initially started from the idea that we make judgments based on what see and hear, never giving a chance to get to know someone. We hear people but we don’t listen to what they are saying. We see people but and we make assumptions about them before a single word is spoken. We look at their clothes, their body type, their hair and skin, their smile or lack thereof. We look at their expressions and misinterpret what they may be feeling or thinking.

This brought on the idea of removing sight and sound from the human form and simply exaggerating the other senses: smell, taste, and touch. They started disfigured but with distinct expressions to draw the audience in and ask why they look the way they do. Touch is a big part of my work. It makes an impact.

As the years have gone by (these started in 2004), the world has not gotten better, and social media has exacerbated judgment and misinformation. We all wear a mask, judging and assuming, keeping it to ourselves usually. However, now people hide behind screens making comments, some positive, some negative. In the end, reality is that we take many things for granted and forget that life is worth living and living well, putting our best out there and truly being giving, loving and caring human beings.