Making Masks

         The first mask I chose for the main inspiration for my mask was this mask from the Amazon region of Venezuela. I chose it because I found it to be humorous, the way the mouth seems to be smiling a toothy grin. I thought that the shape would lend to the materials I had on hand. It is simple in its color palate, which is limited to just black and white. It has vertically symmetrical balance, and a radial pattern that shifts the eyes outward from the center.
       The next mask is from the Kuba Kingdom in the Republic of Congo. I chose this image because I liked that this mask was also mainly composed of the black and white color scheme. It has several patterns, including lines and dots in white, which create repetition. It also includes red "hair" adorned with pukka shells.
        The last mask that I chose to incorporate is one  also from the Congo that is displayed in the Chicago Institute of Art. I chose it because I saw it in Chicago a few summers ago, and still have the picture of it on my wall. I love the many different geometric patterns and the colors. It is another elongated face shape that includes patterns of lines and triangles. It is adorned with turquoise beads and shells. It is symmetrically balanced and all of its different patterns really create variety.

                           
                                        








                                                                                                                       
                
 Here is my own mask! I used the elements of variety, pattern and contrast. I also made it symmetrically balanced. I mostly used black and white for my colors. I enjoyed looking at the different masks and researching them, because they have such wonderful stories behind them. I love all the different patterns. You can see that the shape is mostly influenced by the circular Amazonian mask. I used a brown bag to imitate  the brown hood. I also Incorporated some of the line patterns and colors from the two masks from the Congo. I did blue dots around the eyes to represent the turquoise beads on the third mask. I had a fun time painting my mask and putting it together. Masks like these cultural ones are fun to make because they are all different and abstract, so there is no wrong answer.