Masks, 1996
This series is comprised of ten sculptural plaster pieces that I cast from a mold of my face. I affixed hand-painted silver prints, also self-portraits, to the surface of each mask using a technique called decoupage so that the surface is smooth and seamless. Each piece is embellished with a headpiece as well as a plastic plaque that hangs from chains bearing the title of the piece. The masks are non-functional; they cannot be worn. These pieces are intended to bring to light and make light of stereotypes about women found mostly in Western culture but also reflective of other cultures. It is my aim to connect these often subconscious beliefs with conscious expression so as to defuse and disempower them.