Until Now, I Am....A Work In Progress

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth. Oscar Wilde I want to tell you the truth about who I am, but it’s complicated. Instead, just look. Masks have a long and diverse history. They have been used for protection, disguise, and entertainment or ritual practices. They depict an enormous variety of characteristics and creatures. Wearing a mask or costume can create a sense of freedom, and in the same way that every joke has a kernel of truth; the mask can reveal something about the wearer. In this series of fine art self-portraits, I approach each photograph as though it were a primitive form of theatre, creating a series of tableau vivant where meaning is surrounded by visual noise. I am making a connection between the masks I wear and aspects of my personality. The mask takes away the notion of personal embarrassment and shame; the idea becomes humorous and abstract.