When asked to explore the topic of identity, I found myself pulling inspiration from the masks that different cultures have created throughout the ages. I studied these masks at Stanford's Cantor Art Museum from the "Transforming Mask" and Nick Cave's "Sound Suit" (seen below). Of particular inspiration the "Sound Suit", which was designed to envelope the wearer as a second skin and force the viewer to see the performer without judgement.
Society places scores of labels on an individual from the moment they meet them. A mask can free someone from those labels. This was the basis for the art piece I created. Seen below are the two images that created the final piece. The first face is wrapped by labels that are often imposed by others. The second image shows the freeing effects of a mask. When combined, an art piece is created where the viewer can see the juxtaposition of the two pieces.
