Masks of the Indigenous People
Every mask has a story!
For years I
have been fascinated by and collected masks from all over the world throughout
my travels. I became intrigued by their power of mysticism and spiritual
messages. In my newest works of masks of
the indigenous people, each mask has been inspired by stories and
fables told over generations by the native people of the world. The idea for
this project probably lies in a subliminal yearning for a more uncomplicated
time when people sat around a fire in the evening and repeated stories told by
their ancestors. The motives of the Mask paintings originate from Africa and Australia
This
work is a combination of a culmination of different arts and crafts I have
studied and applied over the last 40 years of my artistic career. It consists
of painting, combined with paper mache sculptures and fiber arts. The masks are
made of hand build paper mache and attached to a canvas. By choosing a three
dimensional aspect instead painting them on a flat canvas, I feel the masks
come alive and transmit a more powerful message. Each piece also has a story to
go with, uniting the visual arts with the literary and performance art. This
project is in line with many of my other series and my beliefs that
one art-form is intimately connected to any other type of art.
Elizabeth
Laishley
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