Orisanmi
Artist Statement
Artist or Metaphysican? I still can’t decide, perhaps I am both. I once read that artists in some cultures are classified in a similar role as a magician – able of creating from the ethereal realm and manifesting in the physical word. I listen carefully when people describe my work and often the word “magical” is thrown out there as a critique.
I focus intently on “energy” while creating and people can feel it. Sometimes the response is strong on either end of the spectrum – fear or appreciation. Other times, more scholarly folk in the art world will say that my work is visual cultural literary as I tell stories about the inspirations which influenced a creation. And yet, others provide more clarity by telling me to stop calling my doll art – “dolls”; instead, they offer terms like figurative sculpture or multimedia fiber work. Frankly, dolls are magical beings. They are characters in a story that only the artist and the admirer can create from their fanciful imagination, so “Doll artist” still resonates strongly.
My first exhibition was just a mere 4 years ago. I’m still embracing the term, Emerging Artist. It feels strange because I have been creating all my life, but finally understand that wide chasm - from folk art to fine art - and how my style of art bridges that huge gap.
In creating Spirit of the Masquerade, I position myself in the mind's eye and spirit of the artisan to create in my interpretation, the essence of the mask. There are times that I create with a specific culture and mask form based upon my research; but, often I work from inspiration and then seek to find the origin of the mask which asked to be born. So, the adventure has begun and will continue.
With no guidebook or patterns to follow, I often find the simplistic visual appearance of the mask, has very complex design elements, so the creative process also entails what is the best way to construct these masquerades.
Working with natural fibers and materials has been a challenge as well as making substitutions which maintain the integrity of the original mask researched subject, for example, using faux fur or choosing to use actual animal hide.
The Masquerade
Telling the Story
The appreciation of a culture begins with understanding. From the moment that Europeans witnessed Masquerades, they wrote about their experiences with limited understanding and perceived tribal culture as primitive. Much of what is known is still a mystery with such knowledge retained by the secret societies who create the masks and perform their rituals.
For the general community, to see a Masquerade in action, one may mistake its significance during a festival for performance art; however, the moment a masquerade appears, a story is being told and blessings are being invoked. Nuances of each masquerade can convey social satire of issues occurring in the community or communicate social mores or invoke the ancestral lineage of families within the community.
In most societies, only men can wear masquerade and become a vessel for the spirit to bless and communicate with the living. These stories as they influence the creation of masquerades in this series, will be shared and perhaps in the sharing, we all will grow in understanding.
Masquerades from each cultural tradition have many functions:
- Represent and honor family lineage
- Entertain
- Teach and instruct during Rites of Passage and Initiation
- Represent a specific spirit or god
- Convey and express social and political commentary and satire
- Dispel negative energy in the community
- Dispense blessings to the community
- Appease spiritual energy to ensure blessings of harvest
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In creating Spirit of the Masquerade, I position myself in the mind's eye and spirit of the artisan to create in my interpretation, the essence of the mask.