HOME| Eric Straw at ToyTent.com | ||
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Why did you choose to make masks ... and such fantastical masks? Eric replies . . . 
I imagine the first shape a child coming into the world can see is the shape of a face!
And later it is one of the most favorite subjects of his first drawings, no? Since the earliest time of man on earth, it seems his own face is the subject for the most important philosophical question of all, "Who am I?" To this primary and obsessive question, masks are able to give a special answer. (One can say this kind of answer, which became the most interesting for me, really "chose me".) It's completely different - understand well - from a painted or sculpted portrait. It is not an image of the face, but another face, more truthful than the real one! Masks are able to express that which is hidden as well that which is visible. They can reveal the psyche, represent elements of society and culture, or a mix of all these! You see, I find the art of masks offers great freedom and fantasy. I discover unlimited ones ... and with only a simple code: just two eyes, one nose and a mouth! At every point in time in civilization and culture, the mask could and can display that which is most important in life. It is commonly associated with religion, theater or entertainment ... It goes with delight and sadness, humor and pain, life and death, as well ... without forgetting to sometimes offer a smile! And still I feel it is an interesting artistic means for the purpose of revealing that ever present, central necessity -- the true face and then the true soul of men in our contemporary world. But, you know, I don't make only masks ... My actual love is cardboard, really! |
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| -- Eric Strawczynski |
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Copyright © ToyTent.com and Eric Strawczynski 2004 |
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