Masks I 1985

Curator: Welcome to this detailed mixed-media print titled "Masks I," created in 1985 by Craig McPherson. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The dramatic contrast immediately grabs me. The deep black background makes the monochrome masks seem to float, with the textures meticulously rendered. It feels stark and contemplative. Curator: McPherson's symbolism is potent, isn't it? The mask on the left appears shadowy, almost sinister, with the signature hooked nose that resembles plague-era carnival masks, while the right mask, seemingly covering its mouth with its hand, evokes enforced silence, or perhaps, the suppression of truth. Editor: Interesting observation. Focusing on formal qualities, observe how McPherson balances positive and negative space in these stylized and evocative features. This enhances its mysterious, almost dreamlike atmosphere. It evokes feelings of concealment, anonymity, perhaps even deceit. Curator: The very act of masking is inherently symbolic—hiding behind a facade, performing a role. We find masks in various cultures, signifying transformation, ritual, even rebellion against societal norms. Here, I am compelled to note a historical context: the plague, persecution, societal disruption... Masks serve both practical and symbolic roles within these events. Editor: From a visual standpoint, that dark void is strategically placed to draw focus on the shapes and textures. Consider how each mark, meticulously placed, accentuates and deepens the conceptual implications inherent in its form. The artist has masterfully employed a variety of printed marks with graphic intention and careful thought. Curator: Absolutely. McPherson uses figuration to tap into shared experiences across generations, compelling a visual memory of shared or inherited meaning, that reminds us of periods of significant change or fear in society. Editor: The monochrome palette further underscores this simplicity. It streamlines form, minimizing any potential distraction. I’d have to admit the lack of color encourages intense contemplation of its visual architecture. Curator: "Masks I," through its strategic and highly considered symbolic imagery, compels each viewer to engage in their own historical understanding and contemporary reading, asking questions not only of society but about the nature of individual identity in response to external pressures. Editor: It’s been intriguing exploring this print. Seeing how McPherson used composition to convey layers of meaning has certainly given me a renewed perspective on his choices.