Description
A Series Of Masks, no date
Pen and ink on paper
Signed
21.25 x 29.25 (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity from ArtTrust
The “Series of Masks” presents a collection of human expressions, distorted and layered, like fragmented identities juxtaposed within each frame. The nine compositions reveal multiple faces emerging from abstraction, with some facial features clearly defined while others are obscured or fused into animalistic forms. This series evokes the multifaceted nature of human existence and the masks people wear—both literally and metaphorically—to conceal their true selves.
In Zen, masks symbolize the illusory nature of self-identity. The multiplicity seen in these masks echoes the Zen teaching that the “self” is not fixed, but constantly shifting, like thoughts in the mind. These sketches remind one of the Zen koan, “What was your face before you were born?” suggesting that the true nature of being lies beyond any particular face or identity that one presents to the world. The series invites a meditation on emptiness and non-attachment, pushing the observer to consider the unreality of individual identity.
Drawing from the I Ching, the “Series of Masks” can be associated with the Hexagram 38, “Opposition.” In this hexagram, there is an inherent contradiction, a clashing of differences that may lead to harmony or discord. The individual faces reflect contrasting emotions or aspects of the psyche, suggesting the tension of inner conflicts or different life roles that must coexist. Embracing these contradictions may lead to a deeper understanding of oneself, as unity is often found in navigating the opposites.
Integrating these perspectives, “Series of Masks” can be seen as a visual exploration of self and the many personas people adopt throughout life. The Zen notion of “no-mind” merges with the I Ching’s themes of opposition, portraying how self-identity is both formed and deconstructed through experiences. The masks represent the dual nature of concealing and revealing truths, inviting viewers to question which, if any, is the authentic self—or if there even is one at all.
Stylistically, the piece resonates with Surrealist and Expressionist movements. There are echoes of Francis Bacon’s grotesque portrayal of the human form and the psychological intensity of Egon Schiele’s distorted figures. The mixed media technique, using ink and subtle washes, enhances the ethereal and haunting quality of the masks, grounding the work in a modern existential inquiry familiar to both early 20th-century avant-garde art and contemporary explorations of selfhood.
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“A Series Of Masks” was featured in his Yes Retrospective
Reproductions of this drawing are available in multiple sizes!
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This artwork is available with a non-fungible token to ensure traceability and transparency of provenance.
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