Masks

During our visit to the Tang Museum
we saw an exhibit titled:

West African Masquerade
Photographs by Phyllis Galembo
July 14-December 30,2007

Viewer Guide:
“Masks disguise, alter, identify, express, and
invent our character.”

Galembo’s portraits were taken between
2003-2004 in the West African countries of
Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Benin.

The costumes are full-bodied works of art:
woven, crocheted, knotted, and knitted in
stunning array of colorful patterns
using yarn, raffia, and cloth
they hide the identity of the wearer.
In several photos a hint of a smile
or a gleam in the eye peeks out
of the helmet like mask to intrigue the viewer.

Other costumes include a headdress
with a head perched on top or
a doll cradled in the wearer’s arm.

The photos are 30 by 30 or 50 by 50.
They are processed with a multiple
of intricate techniques
and color enhancements.

The show was a fiber artist’s dream.

The most heart-stopping, mind-blowing costume was
a suit and helmet worked in fine stripes of many colors.
The accompanying information deemed it crocheted
but my knitting sense would vote for fine yarn
knitted on small needles.

Think: a striped sock
knit to cover a giant
worked on size two needles
and fingering yarn.

Of course, I would like to see their jogs.

Do knitters wear masks?
Hide behind their knitting,
peek out... smile
but remain an enigma?

I won't tell.