Hannya Mask Study

These masks are used in Noh theatre culture in Japan.  Masks, like the Hannya, are used to represent a characters emotions and a point in his/her journey.  The Hannya mask is worn to represent a woman whose soul has transformed into a demoness, for being overcome with obsession and jealousy.   

Although they can be seen as demonic spirits, they can also be sorrowful or tormented, deeply tied to the characters emotional journey to this point.  Looking at the Hannya straight on, the mask is angry, and made to strike fear in the viewer.  However, tilting the mask forward, it appears sorrowful, as if it were crying.  There is always more to discover with each mask.  

In my study I have focused on creating masks that display as many of these different emotions, as I felt would work, when viewed in different lighting and perspectives.  From happiness, to sorrow, resentment, and to anger; all in a single mask.