The Mask

This time I want to depict the incredible work of the tribes of the Pacific North West and the symbols with which they adorn their clothes, houses and property. The forms often appear strange but close inspection shows the stylised way that creatures are depicted an reimagined. The carved objects included totem poles, masks, and decoration on houses and smaller objects. The Tlingit were the northernmost of the tribes and were organised into clans that were associated with birds or animals. They had a highly developed religious and social structure which included the potlatch ceremony, where gifts and valuable items are given away to demonstrate wealth. The ceremony cemented clan relationships and often included singing, dancing, story telling and sharing of food.

In this piece I chose to depict a mask created by a member of the Tlingit tribe. These bright coloured hinged masks were used to represent particulate spirits in tribal ceremonies, but only the owner knew the true meaning of his or her mask and the story that inspired its creation. I also included designs used in the skilled wood carving of the tribe

I chose a plain black background to highlight the simple line designs of the wood carving designs and striking plain colours of the mask. I used raw edge appliqué to add the mask and a mixture of hand and machine stitching to add the carving designs. Further machine quilting in black echoes the shape of the mask and the movement I imagine it making when worn by its creator. I used hadn’t stitching to create the words, as I wanted them to be slightly roughened (as if they were carved from wood).