The mask I wear is the mask everyone wears, the face. I am not talking about a certain facial expression we make, or a metaphorical face, or the idea of a face. My mask is my face––in the most literal sense of the word. All of the extraordinary processes, and systems, and developments that exist within our brains are forever concealed by our relatively unextraordinary, simple faces. When a person experiences something wonderful we might see a cheerful smile on their face, but we cannot possibly witness the beauty of a happy memory being created, and stored away in their mind as they smile. The calm expression one has while sleeping always masks one’s experience of a chilling nightmare, or a fantastic dream, from the real world. The psychological aspects of every individual (one’s old memories, repressed desires, secret fears, recurring dreams) lie just behind our faces. The immaterial, abstract things within our minds that make us who we are––that make us unique––are hidden under layers of noses, lips, and skin.

I am very passionate about psychology, which is why I chose to make a mask based on this idea. I find it interesting how we are all so complex on the inside, yet our outward appearances suggest the opposite. My design was influenced by the works of cubist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, and Francis Picabia. I was inspired by a few of their abstract paintings of people. I felt that the contorted faces in the pieces would be suitable representations of the “abstractness” that hides behind our faces. I believe that a bright, multicolored abstract face is a more accurate representation of an individual than the mask that is their “real” face.