Miya Turnbull, Woven/Coming Undone
Title
Miya Turnbull, Woven/Coming Undone
Subject
Photograph
Date
2020
Description
Artist Statement
I am exploring identity and presenting multiple iterations of my 'self' through various self - portrait-masks. This particular piece was made from 2 separate masks, cut into strips, and then 'woven' together. Each piece represents different experiences that have shaped me or various aspects of my identity, including being mixed race. I am drawing from the history and traditional uses of masks used for masquerade, transformation, and especially now during a Pandemic, protection. There is a new awareness of the relationship between masks and our bodies. I don't think we realized how much we relied on seeing each other's faces for communication and connection until we began moving through this surreal landscape partially covered. We have seen a range of responses towards masks during this time, but now almost everyone globally knows what it feels like to wear one. I hope there is also an awareness that we wear all kinds of masks throughout our lives, not just these literal ones. This particular mask is different from the others I've made before. It is not 'fixed' in place and so, this facade that I've built is only temporary. The longer I wore it, the more it fell apart, eventually crumbling off completely, leaving me exposed, vulnerable, and unprotected. This photo series represents how I have been trying to hold it all together despite the stress and anxiety of this time, but it can all come undone at any moment.
I am exploring identity and presenting multiple iterations of my 'self' through various self - portrait-masks. This particular piece was made from 2 separate masks, cut into strips, and then 'woven' together. Each piece represents different experiences that have shaped me or various aspects of my identity, including being mixed race. I am drawing from the history and traditional uses of masks used for masquerade, transformation, and especially now during a Pandemic, protection. There is a new awareness of the relationship between masks and our bodies. I don't think we realized how much we relied on seeing each other's faces for communication and connection until we began moving through this surreal landscape partially covered. We have seen a range of responses towards masks during this time, but now almost everyone globally knows what it feels like to wear one. I hope there is also an awareness that we wear all kinds of masks throughout our lives, not just these literal ones. This particular mask is different from the others I've made before. It is not 'fixed' in place and so, this facade that I've built is only temporary. The longer I wore it, the more it fell apart, eventually crumbling off completely, leaving me exposed, vulnerable, and unprotected. This photo series represents how I have been trying to hold it all together despite the stress and anxiety of this time, but it can all come undone at any moment.
Creator
Miya Turnbull
Rights
copyright, Miya Turnbull
Citation
Miya Turnbull , “Miya Turnbull, Woven/Coming Undone,” Exhibits At Acadia, accessed May 6, 2024, https://exhibitsatacadia.omeka.net/items/show/61.