The Celebration Mask
This mask was created during a time when I was taken by the folk decoration on the ceremonial masks of Bali. Each Balinese mask was highly decorated using paints and gold. The decoration spoke of the temperament and standing of character that the masks represented.
My Celebration Mask has the eyes and mouth of wonder and the full decoration representing a character of high standing. All of the ‘Mehndi’ style of decoration on the headdress and nose of the mask was applied by hand penning gold onto the glass. There are five layers of fused glass in some areas of the mask.
For each mask I also create a ceramic mold of a face. The porcelain clay is worked and shaped to represent the form of a face over which the glass will eventually be draped. Like in the Balinese ceremonies, the mask that is being worn transforms the ordinary person ‘The Celebration Mask’ is also transformed by the face impressed into it.