Hidden Mask Series

This series is about surviving physical and/or emotional trauma. The ceramic masks are "selfies", drawn from multiple unrelated dangerous and threatening experiences, occurring periodically over many decades. They are intended to convey bits of the inner journey toward actualizing a healthy and satisfying sense of Self and a stable identity that is reasonably functional in the external world.

Underneath

HMS No.1 Two-faced Selfie

This porcelain mask is a metaphor, symbolizing the double life of a battered woman or any person being subjected to abuse and violence within a relationship with another.

The stark contrast between the clear glaze and the dark (Palladium) represents the duality of the public persona she projects and the hidden turmoil she experiences.

Secrets

HMS No.2 Assembling the Survivor

Honoring the survivor is foundational to these “hidden” masks. This one reflects the aftermath of surviving and escaping domestic violence, attempting to put the remaining pieces back together, even if the fragments do not make one whole again.

Her gritty strength is conveyed by texturing the clay surface with granite dust, adding some gold enamel edging, mounting the partial restoration on a slightly glittery board, then framed and hung, as if an elegant portrait.

HMS No.3 Secrets

This one is not a Selfie, nor is it about domestic abuse. It references life's traumas that not everyone survives, but which leaves its own legacy of trauma to those who remain. Secrets is a tribute to a photographer and artist friend who tragically took his own life. The piece is porcelain.

HMS No.4 Survivor of No Secrets

The originally intended piece, "HMS No.4 No Secrets", broke down the center. This is the surviving piece. Trauma reference--if you lose parts of your body/mind/Self, embrace what is left, alive, and functioning, and color it bright.

Life lesson-honor that which did not make it

and honor that which did.

HMS No.5 Emerging

This mask represents a trauma survivor's emerging sense of self. An overlay of complex, opaque darkness remains, but the shrinking in the dark behind closed eyes is receding. She is facing forward; her identity is no longer being consumed by victimization and fear.

HMS No.6 Looking Out

This piece was fired in an anagama kiln at the New Hampshire Institute of Art's Sharon Art Center in rural NH. It is porcelain with a celadon glaze on the facial planes, temmoku and natural fire color on the stamped areas. "Looking Out" references post-trauma healing; the eye is open, the gaze is steady, trusting safety.

HMS No.7 Primal

This "warrior woman" is an appropriation of a tribal vibe, emanating from ancient healing and protection rituals around the world, superimposed on a stoneware slab Selfie. It symbolizes the armor and therapeutic weaponry of the post-trauma survivor who has harnessed the determination, tools, ability, and support essential to fight back effectively against destructive, paralyzing submission states. A victim no more--and never again.

HMS No.8 Not Broken

The trauma survivor, more together than not, as complete as possible, whole “as is.”

HMS No.9 Zombie Girl

After firing this piece the 1st time, I realized a lot more was going on in my head than I had been aware of. My internal landscape erupted as I researched old school zombification poisoning practices. I found striking parallels with certain trauma states in today's world, including experiences associated with so-called "date-rape" drugs. (The correct classification term used in medical, legal, and law enforcement fields is DFSA; substances or drugs used for Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault.)

Many trauma survivors today are able to access affordable trauma-informed therapies. But still, affordability, restrictive criteria, and lack of access remain high barriers to treatment for many.

Some survivors never seek any therapy at all, ever, enduring life as victims who are caught in the brain-hardened loops of Trauma World. Zombie Girl embodies this persistent state of stagnation, or decline.

The metaphorical worm, crawling on the surface of the Self, symbolizes an unresolved trauma state, or a toxic emotional set-back. After a refire, I added some glitter to counter the worm and the rot. Every step away from the past, each extrication, each loosening of one more tether, leads to healing. One must do the best one can to focus on and love one's self, to deliberately move "two steps forward", and use therapeutic tools to counter the "one step back" of any recurrence of post-trauma stress.

HMS No.10 Zen

This mask represents a post-trauma expression of Self-awareness and strength. It reflects another surge of healing and Self-acceptance, Self-forgiveness. It references the Zen state of being, characterized by positive psychophysiological and neurological patterns; the Western therapeutic practice of Mindfulness produces similar results.

The clay body for this mask is Dragon Fruit, from the Industrial Minerals Co. in the U.S. It is a porcelain body with specks of Ilmenite, which is a titanium-iron oxide mineral, and is perfect for expressing strength and resistance to corrosion of the spirit.

HMS No.11 Heart-Eyes

Heart Eyes symbolizes the healing journey of a trauma survivor, transforming eyes that were once filled with pain, fear, and anger into ones that are calm, confident, content, and optimistic. This piece is lightly covered with gold micro-dust glitter.

HMS No.12 What Does She Sea

I broke HMS. No 12 “What Does She Sea” before firing it. And then it developed some thin surface cracks during the firing, a common thermal issue. I was going to send it to meet Mr. Hammer, but gave myself a talking-to about my own mission to “honor the survivor”. One aspect of trauma is the belief that once damaged, one may never be of adequate value, as perceived by Self and others.

Given that the Hidden Mask series theme is trauma, surviving, healing, and thriving, I decided to forge ahead. I find the kissy-fishie especially delightful.

HMS No. 13 Color Her Beautiful

Layers, under and over the past and the present, life goes on: celebrate it. Embellish it.

HMS No.14 Aging

The cuts and bruises are long gone. Tears and scars may remain, yet the Self is thriving, not just surviving. However, the internally hardened scar tissue and the shortened leg, due to an Achilles tendon that was nearly severed during an assault many decades ago, are a worsening discomfort. Some days I still covet revenge. Regardless, aging is a welcome sign of endurance; practicing an attitude of gratitude helps.

Precursors to the Hidden Mask Series

Broken Spirit ~ Sorrow ~ Hidden Mask ~ Raining Grief ~ Disguised ~ Art Is

Art Is

and Two Steps Forward 2024