Masks

The assignment was to create a contemporary mask that had African Inspiration. Students had to be able to tell me where their inspiration came from.

The masks are created from a variety of materials. Students use rigid wrap (gauze embedded with plaster) to create the sculptures - they may create complex armatures to hold the rigid wrap, as you can see here.

The mask featured above and below was created by student Cassandra Parks. It's inspiration comes from the Mende tribe's Sowei Mask. The Mende live in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Sowei Mask is the only mask worn by women in all of Africa. It is meant to depict the ideals of Mende beauty of the Sowei tribe. These ideals include featuring the hairstyle worn by Mende women, and includes small, delicate facial features.

This mask was made by Amir Abdul Basir, and is based loosely on the Ejumba Mask of the Jola tribe, who live in the Casamance region of Guinea Bissau. Cattle are of great importance to the peoples of West Africa, and horns figure prominently in many masks.

The mask below was created by Hanif Crafton, and is based on the Goli mask of the Baule peoples of Ghana. The Goli mask is featured in funerary rites, and serves both a protective function and entertainment.

This mask was created by student Carolyn Bradshaw and is based on the Fang Ngil society mask. The Ngil society serves the function of performing social control, settling disputes, and serving as a legal resource for the Fang peoples.

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