For this body of work I was inspired by Korean tal (탈) masks: archetypal masks used in folk dances and plays. Although tal literally translates to “mask,” the word is derived from a Chinese character meaning “to rid oneself” or “to free oneself.” In Korean folk traditions, these masks allowed the wearer to be free from social norms. The masks reveal the heart’s true desire.
In this reimagining of the traditional Korean tal, I too seek a kind of freedom. The masks allow other persons and identities to take visible form. Externalizing these characters gives freedom to both become and confront them.
Protected and concealed by my mask, I am able to show the deepest and most vulnerable parts of my psyche. It is a wish to be seen and a call for others to share in my experience.