"Masking Through Life" 2022
Last year (September 2022) I had an exhibition called “Masking Through Life”. The work I made for this exhibition I made during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The theme is about how people with depression or other conditions always pretend that everything is “fine” with them, when in reality they are not fine. This is also called ‘masking’. Masking refers to hiding your authentic self in an effort to gain greater social acceptance. The costs of camouflaging your true personality and emotions can add up exponentially, causing you to experience a sense of loss, anxiety, and depression. This is more common with neurodivergent people. I wanted to bring more awareness to topics like these, because even though more attention is being paid to mental health, there needs to be more awareness.
You are not a burden. You are allowed to feel the way you do and you’re allowed to openly discuss it. There is no shame in asking for help.
Dutch Suicide prevention:
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Masking
Photo made by Dustin James
Masking – ‘Masking’ is the opening piece to the series “Masking Through Life”. They’re ceramic sculptures in the form of tribal and theatre-looking masks that are a figurative and literal depiction of what it means to mask your true nature away.
The Hanging Man
Photo made by Dustin James
The Hanging Man – This piece was inspired by the tarot card The Hanged Man. You can hang this sculpture in two ways: upside-down and upright.
The Tarot card has different meanings for both positions:
The Hanged Man Tarot card reflects a particular need to suspend certain action. At this time, they are helpless to act of their own volition. There could be an emotional, physical, or monetary problem that is holding them back.
The Hanged Man Tarot card reversed can mean that you are hoping that your problems will solve themselves. Your own goals and dreams are put on hold due to external realities or internal problems.
