Mask

For Dan

Who will wear many masks here!

Good Luck

Julie

As you know, I was fortunate enough to have a one-month overlap with my predecessor.  She departed while I was in Voinjama, and when I returned to the office the following monday, this painting and a note with the message above was waiting at my desk.

Now Ann might tell you that it’s actually a very good rendition of me when I try to act cool - which I’m not.  Personally, I think there’s way too much hair for it to be me.  Then again, there’s nothing on top and plenty on the sides and down the face - maybe it is like me on  a long weekend when I’ve decided not to shave.  That’s a scary thought, no wonder Ann looks at me funny when I do that.

Anyway, thank you again Julie, and I thought I’d share some thoughts with you, which were the first thoughts that ran through my head when I saw this painting.

First off, there are 16 different major clans (tribes) in Liberia.  Each has its own stylized masks.  I’ve already bought one, from the Dan tribe.  (Can you guess one of the reasons why I bought it?).  I’ve been wondering how much I want to get into buying masks, because it could easily get out of control so, except for that one instance, I’ve deferred any mask gratification.  But I have gotten a book on African art and masks and am intrigued at the differences.

My second thought was that this painting has a fascinating combination of traditional and modern elements.  What many people may not know is that one of the major influences in early modern art was a series of African art, and particularly African mask, exhibits that were held in Europe in the early 1900’s.  Many of Cubism’s early artists (to include Picasso) referred to the influence African masks had on their work.  Look at photographs of the Cubists and then later the Surrealists in their homes and studios and you will often see African masks on the walls.  Even in the recent videos I’ve been watching about Henri Cartier-Bresson, where they interview him at his home, you can see African masks and artwork on his walls and shelves.  So the geometric shapes that form the facial features on an otherwise traditional mask with a traditional facial expression pay homage, whether intentional or not, to these two traditions.

Thanks Julie.