ABOUT A MASK is a juried virtual exhibition showcasing artwork from all areas of the Missouri State Department of Art and Design and features a variety of mediums from undergraduates and graduates exploring our new masking culture.
Many thanks to the jurors, Cole Closser, Dr. Mitzi Kirkland-Ives, and Jina Seo and to the organizer of the exhibition, Eric Pervukhin
BEST IN SHOW
Russ Bray
I Can’t Breathe
Photography
This phrase is a glimpse into both major issues occurring in America, used by a man struggling to breathe as he slowly fades away, but also used by citizens who feel that that phrase is enough reason to risk their lives and others by not wearing a mask. It is okay when the latter person says this phrase and is excused from following mandated orders that prevent the spread of sickness, but when the former man said this, no pressure was eased off of his neck. He did not get excused from the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of not being able to breathe that ended with his death.
FIRST PLACE
Meidi Karampour
In Crowd and Loneliness
Oil on canvas
SECOND PLACE
Madison Harper
The Mask Trees
Pencil and digital illustration
THIRD PLACE
Rick Briggenhorst
Save Travels
Video
click the photo to view the video
Safe Travels is a short video that focuses on the relationship of humans and surveillance technology. As the technology to track/identify/record individuals becomes more available at a consumer level; humanity must attempt to find low cost methods of deterring these rapidly developing devices. The cloak seen in the video was made with the intention of hiding in plain sight from the DJI Mavic Air 2’s human tracking capabilities.
EXCELLENCE AWARD
Joni Neal
Pandemic Hands
Charcoal
We have all felt tied down at times by pandemic changes, but what it actually did was tie us together. The tangible clarity of restrictions, uncertainties, and sorrow have enabled unity in compassion, empathy, and gifts of loving sacrifice.
EXCELLENCE AWARD
Nadia Issa
See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
Collage, photography, papier-mâché
My work was based on a simple idea to use papier-mâché and the all-over news image collage to communicate information overload. I recreated the gesture of the three wise monkeys embodying the proverbial principle “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” to show my attempt of trying to protect myself from fake news and mass media. The mask itself has a protective function as well- it preserves our identity from external attacks.
HONORABLE MENTION
Rana Alamro
This time will pass
Air clay
Arabic calligraphy sculptural mask!
HONORABLE MENTION
Kallen Brown
Hurting, Healing
Digital photography
HONORABLE MENTION
Emi Juchems
The Great Mask Wave 2020
Fabric and acrylic
An exploratory series of works to discover if face coverings can be both functional and fashionable. Originally created as an assignment for Dana Bridges’ ART 101- 3D Design class during Covid- Spring semester.
DIRECTOR’S AWARD
Emily Reed
Plague Doctor
Watercolor and ink
Sarah Powell
Sound of Silence
Pen and Ink, Watercolor, Mixed Media
Personal reflections through artwork.
Rae Ann Rockwell
Untitled
Ceramic
This mask was made during a summer ceramics class inspired by one of Dr. Follensbee’s ancient art history classes.
Patrick Cunningham
Lights out, masks on
Digitally-modified photography
This work is an attempt at re-contextualizing masks on an unfamiliar face.
Lucas Fiegenbaum
Hint of Emotion
Graphite and colored pencil
My mask was designed for fashion over function. I have always been inspired by the Japanese art of Kabuki and old school Hollywood glamour. My mask illustration is an example of both of these forces. The colors used were strategically placed to resemble different emotions, just as they are in Kabuki.
Lauren Ludtke
Wear It
Graphite to digital media
Source: https://art-design.missouristate.edu/exhibit/brickcity/about-a-mask/
