Mask Series

  At the core of my practice is an ongoing exploration of painting on unconventional surfaces. I prep and prime fabric alongside other traditional and non‑traditional materials. Pattern is a driving force in my work, and selecting the fabric for each piece becomes an essential part of the creative process. The textile isn’t merely a backdrop; it becomes an active participant. I allow the fabric to show through in unexpected places, sometimes untouched, other times glazed to form the garments or jewelry. This interplay creates a visual ambiguity, blurring the line between what is painted and what is not.

This body of work examines the role of the mask by reversing its traditional purpose. Historically, masks conceal by shielding identity or hiding imperfections. In my portraits, the mask reveals rather than obscures. Each one becomes a symbolic extension of the wearer’s inner world, expressing personality traits, strengths, or weaknesses that might otherwise remain hidden. Since I am portraying the archetypes of people’s souls, I draw from the long‑held idea that the eyes are “windows to the soul,” leaving the eyes open to the underlying pattern so the viewer can look directly into that symbolic interior. Their emptiness is intentional. The subject’s innermost self is already on display through the mask, leaving nothing else to hide.

The masks I depict span from ancient cultures, whether from the actual time period to contemporary reproductions that instill the same meaning and characteristics, to masks that I have envisioned myself. Their old‑world appearance contrasts sharply with the contemporary attire worn by the subjects. Fashion becomes a marker of modern status and material advancement and is disconnected from the old-world nature of the masks. This juxtaposition highlights a central idea in the work: despite society’s progress, our fundamental instincts and personality traits persist. Archetypes still recur age after age no matter how advanced the society. Ultimately, we have not come as far as we think.