The vision

The Goal

Capturing the essence of the mask. Visualizing it's spiritual energy.
Envisioning the mask in its traditional form.
Recreating its artistic form with natural materials.
Sharing its beauty and relevance with the world.

The Vision

Create sculptural form of Masquerades to educate and visually depict the various styles, while highlighting their influence and function in the social, cultural, spiritual and political dynamics of African people.

The Mask used by indigenous cultures is never the wood carving as we are accustomed to seeing in museums, or art collections. In viewing these masks, your curiosity may be sparked "what do they represent and how would these masks be used?"

For many cultures, "The Mask" is the embodiment of Spiritual energy which can be invoked for ceremonial ritual. The Mask, when worn, allows specific spiritual energy to be channeled and manifested in this physical realm. The whole concept of the Mask is to represent the unseen realm of spirit- it is more than a dramatic display of dance, acrobatic skill or conjuring, it is our human desire to connect the spirit world with the physical world.

The Exhibition

Spirit of the Masquerade is a collection of 150 small to large sculptures and 3d Fiber wall hangings depicting various styles of West African “masks” as they would be seen and experienced if one were to visit various regions of West Africa.

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Exhibition History

Spirit of the Masquerade has been presented in solo exhibitions and also selected pieces featured as part of larger juried exhibitions and gallery shows.

Seen - Unseen Exhibition (5 small sculptures African Masquerades) Artist Archives of the Western Reserve & Sculpture Center of Cleveland Cleveland, OH September – November 2019

Spirit of the Masquerade (exhibition series of West African masquerades -sculptures and canvas art ) Kent State University Uumbaji Gallery, September, 2018

CAN Triennial Exhibition (Curated show of featured artist) African Masquerades (small and large sculptures) Cleveland, OH, July 2018

Dance of the Ancestors: Egungun Masquerade Yoruba Masquerade sculptures , The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC, September-October, 2017

Dance of the Ancestors African Masquerades – (selected Canvas art and sculptures) Coffee Phix “Gallery Space” South Euclid. OH September, 2017

Sixteen Crowns: Manifestation of Ase, Yoruba Masquerades, The City Gallery at Waterfront Park Charleston, SC July-September 2016

Contemporary African Spirituality Burkina Faso Bird Masquerade Calabar Gallery Harlem, New York, January - April 2016

Greeting Patrons and discussing exhibition
City Gallery at Waterfront Park

Patron Engagement

Since the creation of this exhibition series which is still being refined and developed, engaging and talking with patrons is often a highlight to spur enlightenment and conversation.

Viewing these masks, curiosity is sparked "what do they represent and how would these masks be used?

While the exhibition was at Kent State University, I was able to arrange for two classes to meet with me in the gallery space to talk about the series as it related to their class materials and as an extension to their understanding of cultural art.

This exhibition works well as an opportunity to interface with 1.) theatre – costume design and performance art; 2.) African Studies; and 3.) African Art.