Second Skins- Masks
March - April 2023
Mask use, across cultures throughout human history, have been documented back 9,000 years. This is our take on masks of the 21st century. Many were inspired by a back story, be it the present political situations or reminiscent of Peace Corp days. Our masks vary from traditional and theatrical to whimsical and imaginative, in materials ranging from bark peeled from the artist’s cherry tree to paper mache, felted sculptures and collages. As masks have taken on a new meaning in our lives, we give masks our own perspective.
Participants are: Erica Iseminger, Sue Gale, Annie Karl, Donna Lark, Debra Olson, Barbara Ramsey, Joyce Wilkerson, Terri Wolf, Mary Tyler, Lora Armstrong, Liisa Fagerlund, Leslie Dickinson and Lynn Giles.
Annie Karl
anniekarl@outlook.com
Barbara Ramsey
bramsey53@gmail.com
Artist Statement: I am a fabric artist who creates original pieced quilts using a variety of fiber types. Most of my work is highly abstract and uses both commercially printed and hand-dyed fabrics.
Our current political situation frightens me. And it makes me see the imagery of certain masks, especially those used in West Africa, in a new light. I see how humans can take our fears and use their power to both make fun of that which we fear AND ignite our protective reflexes. “Guardian Spirits Emerge” is one of the things I did with my fears.
Guardian Spirits Emerge
Improvisational quilt, machine pieced & quilted, commercial fabric (cotton & polyester).
33” high x 47” wide
Price: $100
When your electoral politics fail you, call upon your spirit guardians.
Perspectivus (upper left), guardian spirit of patience. May he remind us that any one presidential term does not an eternity make.
Hysteria (upper middle), guardian spirit of late night comedy. May she keep us laughing through hard times.
Darth (upper right), guardian spirit of the Dark Force. May he forget about our planet entirely and go about his business elsewhere.
Predatorisse (lower right), guardian spirit of the food chain. May she keep the fossil fuel industry from consuming our planet.
Protestia (lower middle), guardian spirit of civil liberties. May she help us find strength in our solidarity.
Lunatario (lower left), guardian spirit of the mentally ill. May he prevent certain politicians from becoming even more bat**** crazy than they already are.
Deb Olson
Donna Lark
Larkstudios511@gmail.com
Seahawks Series-Bald Eagle
12”x22”x9”
$1800
Finn and Merino Wool Felted.
The costumes I designed for the Port Townsend Wearable Art Show never seemed complete when they hit the runway. Masks were the missing component but I didn’t have the skill to create them at the time. This is the first mask of my Seahawks Series.
Erica Iseminger
eeisemi@gmail.com
Loki and Zoe go to the Gala
Title: Loki (right)
8“x8“x7“
Price: $150
Title: Zoe (left)
8“x8“x6“
Price: $175
Mask made from cherry inner bark with pine one and copper embellishments. Cedar tassel earrings and cedar cordage.
Enjoyed the challenge of making a mask as a costume. Years ago I had taken down a cherry tree and stripped the bark off saving it to make something special. It’s so beautiful and the mask challenge gave me the inspiration to use it and show off the brilliance of the fiber. It is such a beautiful fiber and it’s own type of textile.
Joyce Wilkerson
jwweave@gmail.com
Vintage Chinese Opera Mask
10"x 16"x 10"
NFS
This is an opera mask of unknown age. It has elaborate embroidery. Look closely to see the upside down cat face with delicate eyebrows.
Leslie Dickinson
ldakm@msn.com
Haida Moon Mask
$300
Inspired by Northwest Native masks, duckcloth, canvas base, cloth covered and beaded.
I have been drawn to Northwest native art and wanted to put my own interpretation into practice.
Liisa Fagerlund
fagerlund@hotmail.com
Contact: 360-460-8527
Paris Eyes Kinshasa
11“x14“x4“
$250
Fiber collage mask on gallery-wrapped canvas. Raw-edge hand applique, hand stitching and embroidery. African wax-printed fabrics, hand-dyed embroidery floss, hardware store washers.
Early 20th century Paris was transfixed by art and artifacts from West and Central Africa. This mask was inspired by the art of Picasso and by the African designs and fabrics which influenced him and thrilled me during my Peace Corps experience in Nigeria.
Lora Armstrong
Lora@olypen.com
Elefelt Vizard
16”x12”x1”
Nunofelted sculpture with bead and silk thread embellishment.
My process in sculpture is serendipitous and experimentation.
Lynn Giles
ikayak09@gmail.com
Sasquatch
11“x14“x4“
$75
Knit and crocheted using tea dyed wool. Mink sewn and stuffed with fiber
Inspired by Coast Salish tribal masks
Mary Tyler
tylerstudio@olympus.net
Unknown Face in the Crowd
8 ½ H x 5 ½ W x 3 ½ D
$50
This is a Raku fired mask inspired by Halloween masks. Raku is a Japanese technique that involves taking a very hot piece of ceramic from a kiln and immediately putting it into leaves, sawdust, or other flammable products. This produces a smoked glaze.
Sue Gale
msgale63@gmail.com
Vanisa- goddess of the woodland
20”x16”
$225
Hand dyed indigo silk, eco-printed silk with madder root and nine-bark leaves, beaded, hand stitched paper mache.
I recently took a natural dye class and wanted to use the indigo piece. It’s always fun to go to the beach and comb the sand for treasures. We walk our dog in the local state park. I enjoy seeing all the trees, leaves and all the forest land. This eco-dyed piece fits right in
Terri Wolf — Quilts
After Mask Making
20”x17”
NFS
Description:100% cotton applique
After making masks for the COVID-19 pandemic, I had several scraps leftover and liked the abstract shapes. I used these “negative space” pieces to turn it into a positive with a new quilt.