Masks And Identity: The Progression Of My Art

Paul Laurence Dunbar, dispatches the cold troubles of African Americans in the lyrical poem, "We Wear the Mask." In this poem, Dunbar links imagery, rhythm, rhyme, and word choice to in order to institute a connection to the reader. From reading the poem, one can infer that Mr. Dunbar is speaking in general, of the misery that many people keep concealed under a grin that they wear very well. But if one were to go further and take the time to research Mr. Dunbar’s selection of this piece and the era of which this poem was written, one would come to understand that this poem focuses entirely on Paul Laurence Dunbar’s viewpoints on racial prejudice and the struggle for equality for the African-American’s of his time period. Though this

“In Defense of Masks”, by Kenneth Gergen regards that it is not possible for humans to adequately find a coherent self identity without an aftermath. Gergen states, “to the extent that they do, they many experience severe emotional distress” when trying to do so (172). He refers to Erik Erickson, a psychologist who speaks about how self-alienation can result due to the pressures of society to individuals with various masks of identity.

The African Culture is one of the most intriguing and complexed cultures to analysis because of the hidden meaning and thought-provoking ritual that has highly impacted their traditions. One of the most considerable piece of evidence of their ritualistic perceptions is the astonishing art work that the African people left behind. The art was a way for the people to implement different rituals throughout the year. For comparison, it is similar to many American cultures ritualistic traditions regarding such holidays as Christmas and Thanksgiving. One piece of art that the African culture is particularly recognized for is their Masks.

From poets, to song writers. Picasso, an artist who paints. edgar allan poe, an artist that shows his passion and artistry through his rthyming words and melodramatic speeches. merle haggard, an artist painting his life story through the word and tune of his courty music. something all artists have in common, they all show passion and love for theyre work, and they all most certainly tell theyr lives through there art.

In many occasions, people mask their true emotions in order to complete a goal. In “We Wear the Mask”, written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the speaker explains the mask they must wear to “move past” the oppression the black community faces on a daily basis. In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, Jim, an escaped slave, began running away with Huckleberry “Huck” Finn, a young, white boy, after they ran into each other in the woods, both wanting to find freedom. Both Paul Laurence Dunbar and Mark Twain utilize the mask, or masking emotions, to show the way many people attempt to reach their goals.

“We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar uses three major literary elements: metaphor, diction and rhythm, in order to illuminate the importance of the mask African Americans use. Word choice in this poem starts off as unsettling and sadening using words as, “grins and lies”, “hides”, “human guile”, “torn and bleeding”,as well as, “tears and sighs”. These words used in stanza one and two, show what the mask hides but also what that person is really feeling behind that mask of lies. In order to sustain peace and harmony, sometimes that mask needs to be worn, hiding true emotion. In the last stanza, the diction is switched to a hopeful and “rise up” type of attitude.

I am an artist but more specifically I am a muralist. I enjoy painting and collaborating with others to create masterpieces. Painting a mural changes the way I see any wall. Changes the way I view the world around me. Painting makes your imagination more vibrant, and more of a reality when you start applying a brush to a wall.

I cover my face, because with this mask I don’t have to prove I’m different.

Drawing and painting is a wonderful way for someone to express themselves. Paintings highly support the quote “A picture is worth a thousand words,” because some people can interpret a painting one way, while others may see it in a completely different way. I enjoy

A lot of my current art consists of class projects and personnel study that I've done over the past year or so. My "anticipated evolution" however, and not just for the coming semester, but probably for the rest of my life, is to someday be able to say there isn't a thing I can't do. It's a bit of an ironic conundrum considering graphic design and other skills associated with it are an ever evolving medium, but that is perhaps why I love it so much. It's constantly changing, constantly challenging, and in my book that adds up to being constantly satisfying.

Hence, I must paint. Art is a way of life and grand appreciation of exploring and admiring details, shades and moods along with the physical challenge of telling a story, with acrylics, of what I remember. I must paint.

I am a designer and artist who has grown up in two cultures and in two disciplines. I am pulled between art and science, as well as reason and intuition. The twofoldness of my heritage provides me with a basis for a unique perspective that yearns to find harmony within tension. I have curated and woven strands of my customs to form my own identity amidst my cultural paradoxes. My creative process and artwork are informed by my cultural dissonance as I gravitate towards pieces that have layers of meaning and force the viewer to think beyond the surface. I touch upon subjects in my art with a profound interpretation, rather than a simple binary assumption, such as discrimination, racism, feminism, the current political climate or even my own

I believe painting to be a method of creative expression by allowing anyone to uniquely express themselves with

The doodle a woman makes on her notepad while on hold with the dentist’s office is a creation, and therefore art. An incredibly complex and lifelike portrait that took months to plan and paint is a creation, and therefore art. One does not have to create within the confines of traditional artistic thought to be an artist. By looking inward within one’s self, finding inspiration from existence, and executing a work, one is an artist.

Honestly, I have no clue who I am as an artist. I realize this could be artistic suicide-but it’s the truth, and isn’t being honest and truthful part of being an artist? Anyhow, I am 18 years old, how must I know who I am as an artist if I don’t know who I am as a person? Nevertheless, I have particular mediums I am fond of such as; paint and colored pencils. My artistic style and skills are constantly being challenged and changed. I believe my creative mind is like the wind- always changing directions and moving to new places because I like to try new things and experiment, which as young artist I find it glorious! I thrive on seeing how each piece makes me feel when making it. Often times, I do feel that I always try to connect my pieces with my emotions. I make it so it is meaningful to me. So, maybe that makes me a selfish artist, for only creating things for my benefit. Moreover, this is what I have realized lately that if you’re not doing something to bring joy to yourself, why do it? The approval others are fickle and often irrelevant, so just do what suits you and makes you feel good about yourself and your art.Therefore, I would like to attend your school to refine my style as an artist, and maybe during that find out who I am as a person.