Masks
Placing a slab of wet clay directly on my face – not able to see what I was doing – I worked from “the inside out.”
Breath and emotion became catalysts for the surprising faces that emerged.
The masks “came alive” through Raku, an ancient Japanese firing process, in which I removed glowing red-hot masks from the kiln and placed them onto a mound of sawdust or hay. Fire shot out of their mouths, eyes and nostrils! Once cooled, the masks displayed distinctive patinas of matt black, smoky white, and rust.
MEPHISTO
Raku-fired clay
14.5” x 7.5” x 6”
NOH BIRD
Raku-fired clay, porcelain slip
9.5” x 8” x 3.5”
DARK ANGEL
Raku-fired clay
10” x 8” x 4.5”
FORGOTTEN FACE
Raku-fired clay
10” x 10” x 3”
RED DEMON WITH GREEN
Raku-fired clay, red iron oxide slip & chromium oxide glaze
10” x 7.5” x 3”
UNDER THE SEA
Raku-fired clay, chromium oxide glaze
12” x 9 ½” x 4.5”
END OF DAYS
Raku-fired clay, red iron oxide slip
11” x 8.5” x 4”
ORACLE
Raku-fired clay
11” x 7” x 6”
GUARDIAN SPIRIT
Raku-fired clay
18.5” x 24” x 7”