Masking In Glory

Masks have been in use since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. They usually represent supernatural beings, fanciful or imagined figures. A chat with four renowned mask maker

BECKIE KRAVETZ

Beckie fell in love with theatre at a young age. She enjoyed doing makeup for herself and other actors. She was always creating art, and her favourite art classes were ceramics and sculpting. Beckie says, “Mask making involves different mediums for the multi-step process of sculpting, moulding, casting and painting”. Her favourite is the tactile pleasure of manipulating clay, watching a character emerge under her hands. She has trained herself in theatrical prop making, working with a variety of materials. Over the years her work has evolved into full-figure sculpture, often with masks serving as a metaphorical function within the sculpture. She continues to create masks for theaters and galleries. Many of her newest pieces are oversized faces for outdoor display. Her advice to aspiring young mask artists - study facial anatomy, so you have a solid foundation from which to design and sculpt your imaginary characters. Experiment with different clay and mask materials. Use books, museums and the Internet to research mask artists and masks of different cultures for inspiration, materials and techniques.

CECILIA LUNDQVIST