Third Saturday: Mask Making

As inspiration for making our own masks, let’s look at art depicting masks that are both decorative and functional. You can use any household supplies or recycled materials to make a beautiful, scary, or bizarre mask. You’re only limited by your creativity!

There are many ways to focus on a work of art—for this conversation, we will look specifically at how American artists from the UMFA’s collection depict all kinds of masks.

light brown and yellow objects are in front of a flat blue background. The objects are drawn in a cartoon style with black outlines around the features. There is a large mask of a human face in the right lower corner. A tub of flat prop-like fruits and vegetables with a mask on top of them is on the left side. An old teapot and ladder are behind the large mask propped up against the blue wall. There is a simple round window in the blue wall and an electric socket with plugs behind the tub. A small cup sits in the left lower corner. — Lynwood Kreneck, American, b. 1936, Master Builder’s Attic, 2003, screen print, gift of Linda K. Seckinger on behalf of the Catfish Press Exchange, UMFA2005.2.23

a black and white photograph of a realistic mask sits atop some tissue paper. The mask is of a bald man with a monocle on his left eye. His lips are outlined in a darker paint. — Clarence John Laughlin, American, 1905-1985, Study Mask with Monocle, circa 1935, gelatin silver print, Gift of Dr. James E. and Debra Pearl to the Dr. James E. and Debra Pearl Photograph Collection, UMFA2001.22.19

Cultures all over the world create and use masks. Masks are used to disguise, protect, entertain, or transform the wearer. Artists also depict masks in their art for many reasons. These two artworks show masks that look like people. Look closely at the masks. What clues can you see that let you know the personality of the person shown in the mask? Why do you think the artists wanted to have these masks in their artwork?

Why would you want to wear a mask to make you look like another person? If you made a mask to look like a person, what person would you make? Why? Think about things you can include to give your mask personality. Will it have glasses? A moustache? Maybe a hat! All these details can help transform your mask–and you–when you wear it!

a lithograph that looks like a pencil drawing shows a portrait of a female sculptor from the waist up. She is looking straight at the viewer. She has a hat on her head with some safety glasses on the hat. Her face is covered in a dust mask. She has on a heavy coat and is wearing work gloves. In her right hand is a mallet and in her left hand a chisel. There are four chisels laying on the table. — Sigmund Abeles, American, b. 1934, Sculpturess, 1977, lithograph, gift of Dr. Christopher A. and Janet Graf, UMFA1977.163

a black and white photograph of two boys standing on a pool deck. There is a blow-up shark between them and one boy is holding a beach ball. The boy on the left has swim goggles on and the boy on the right wears a swimming mask and flippers. — Jim Frankoski, American, b. 1950, Nick and Bryan Summer ‘89, 1989, gelatin silver print, purchased with funds from an anonymous donor, UMFA1990.006.001

Masks aren’t just for dress-up or disguise. They can also be used to protect you – these are called utilitarian masks. These two artworks both show masks that are used for protection. What do these masks protect the wearer from?

Masks can also tell us about the activity each person is doing. In other words, these protective masks identify the person: a sculptor and a swimmer. You can make a mask that looks like you are doing an activity. What kind of activity would you choose?

a color photograph of a teacher in a classroom with children sitting around on the floor in front of her. The teacher is wearing a gas mask. There is a green haze all around the children and the teacher. — Patrick Nagatani, American, b. 1945, Radon Gas, Elementary School Classroom, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1990, chromogenic color print, gift of Dr. Mark Reichman, UMFA2001.25.52

Sometimes masks can be symbols. A symbol is an object that stands for something else. Look closely at this photograph by Patrick Nagatani. Do you see the mask that the teacher is wearing? Why would she be wearing a gas mask? Do you see any gas or other toxic air in the classroom? Why aren’t the children wearing masks? What do you think this gas mask is a symbol for? What message does this photograph say to you?

Think about the mask you are going to make. If you want, you can make it symbolic, too. What message would you want to say with your mask?

But where are the women artists? Like many US art museums, the UMFA’s collection lacks diversity and only presents a limited view of art history. The vast majority of artists represented in our collection are men. While this reflects historic collecting practices, today the UMFA is working to diversify the collection to more accurately reflect the great variety of creative production past and present.

Let’s Make a Mask

Now that you’ve found some inspiration in UMFA artwork showing masks, you can make your own with stuff you find around your house. There is no single way to make a mask, so use your imagination to create something unique.

What kind of mask would you like to make? Will it reflect your personality? Change your look? Hide your identity? Will it be a mask used for a play, to protect you, or for a celebration? Think about what kinds of colors, shapes, and textures you will use on your mask.