Magical masks

The masks shown are made by artists from Papua New Guinea, Australia and Japan. Each mask is designed to represent a special character or qualities.

• Artist Toby Cedar comes from the Torres Strait Islands. His mask Op Nor Beizam (Tiger shark mask), 2017, shows one of his totems, the tiger shark, which represents law and power. A totem is an animal assigned to a person, family or clan which each person has a duty to understand and protect. In the Torres Strait Islands, masks were traditionally worn while telling stories through songs, dancing and performance.
• The Alor mask, 1970s, made by the Tolai people of Papua New Guinea, is a stylised carved mask with a feather headdress. It was made to be worn by men during initiation ceremonies and cultural festivals. These masks are used to adorn special structural platforms and houses for special celebrations.
• The Noh mask, Ōbeshimi was made in Japan in the seventeenth century. Noh theatre is the oldest form of Japanese theatre and combines music, dance and acting. Ōbeshimi is used in plays featuring tengu, mythical demons or goblins which live deep in the mountains and have red faces, large noses, wings and supernatural powers.

Look at the related works and use the following discussion prompts to explore ideas with your class:

• When and why might the masks have been worn?
• What feeling does each mask evoke?
• What materials have been used in each one?
• What similarities and differences can you observe between the masks?

• Card or heavy craft paper
• Crayons
• Oil pastels
• Felt tipped pens
• Flat wooden craft sticks (20 – 30cm)
• Grey lead pencils
• Scissors
• Glue
• Feathers
• Fur
• String
• Beads

Students can design and create their own mask using the following steps:

1. Think of a character or creature you would like to portray in a mask. Consider what special qualities your character might have.
   Are they very wise? Do they have supernatural powers, like the tengu? Super vision? Super hearing? Can they fly? Are they masters of disguise? Are they scary, or very funny? How might you show these powers? Think of features like big eyes, extra eyes, wings, flippers etc.
2. Draw the design for your mask on craft paper.
   The mask should be big enough to cover your face.
3. Decorate your mask using coloured felt tip pens and pencils.
   Include designs and patterns that draw attention to your creature’s facial features.
4. Add extra decoration using string, hair, fur or feathers.
5. Use tape to attach a stick to the back of your mask so you can hold it.
6. Give your creature a name.

Students share their mask with a partner or the group. If their mask is a dance mask, they might like to perform the dance.

• What is your creature called and what are his powers?
• What choices did you make about patterns, colours or other features?