Faces and Mask

In Collections: Creativity in the Time of COVID-19

Copyright Status: In Copyright

Date: 2019/2022

Artists: Smith, Chance

Subjects: COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , in art

Material Type: Mixed media works

Language: No linguistic content

Extent: 6 paintings

Genre Note: Watercolor and ink

Exhibit Label: Feeling trapped, isolated, peaceful, artistic, and so many other emotions were heavy on my heart and mind during quarantine. So, every time I created these pieces, I sat down and just allowed the emotion to take over. I typically used known color relationships, which would help set the foundation for how I wanted to interpret the specific emotion I was feeling. I then typically pulled on a motif such as elements of broken glass or I simply played with the watercolor until I was content with what was on the paper. I am a Black Queer man, so all my pieces have elements of femininity and masculinity as well as a range of hairstyles. Everything I create is a little Queer and a little Africana. I want to center Queerness and Blackness in all forms of art. Each painting is a reflection of what I was internally feeling that was difficult to express. When an audience views them, I like to hear the interpretations because the pandemic affected everyone so differently. All of our processes and emotions are valid. I kept thinking about how an aspect of this "new life" we were all living made me feel until I had a complete piece of art in front of me. --Label design by exhibit curator Nancy DeJoy. Labels written by Ben Lash and his team in consultation with artist statements.

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m59022h3g

Page Info

1 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 01

An abstract watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. At the center of the piece is the portrait of a person with purple skin, stained with splotches of pink on their neck and cheek. Two bright pink strokes take the place of eyebrows and beneath that are two thin pink lines in place of eyes. Thin strokes of pink outline lips. The person has long, black hair stained with splotches of pinks and purples and is turned to the left side of the piece. Shades of light and dark pink fill the space surrounding them.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5vd6s596

2 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 02

An abstract watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. At the center of the piece is a person with light blue skin, shadowed with a teal color. In place of eyes are dark blue organic shapes that curl upwards. Highlighted in teal are the forehead, cheeks, and nose. In place of a mouth is white paint in the shape of lips. The person has long black hair with streaks of blues. Surrounding the person are layered splotches of different shades of blue.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5fn13t3b

3 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 03

A watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. The background is a faint pink, orange, and yellow color. At the center is the bust of a person with light orange and red colored skin. A patch of translucent brown covers where a nose would be, and their eyes transform from red, outwards into a deep brown color that resembles the shape of antlers. Their hair is red, which joins splotches of red surrounding the person.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m55x28d9k

4 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 04

An abstract watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. The background is a light gray, filled with patches of dark gray and blots of black. At the center is a pink petal-like shape with a swirl on the left and an ‘x' on the right. Black lines reach outwards on either side of the shape. On the top, bottom, and both sides of the shape in the center are more petal-like shapes with similar patterns. Longer pink forms extend from the top of the shapes on the bottom left and right, joining in the center.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5mk6892z

5 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 05

A watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. In the center of the piece is the faceless portrait of a person, their face is filled with shades of deep blue and teal, and they have long black hair. Overlapping and disjointing the face are lines that make the piece look as if it's a reflection in a broken mirror.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5057gt4s

6 of 6: Faces and Mask. Part 06

An abstract watercolor and ink painting on watercolor paper. At the center of the piece is the portrait of a person with no hair and light pink skin stained with bright red blotches throughout their face and down their neck. In place of eyes, they have two black angular, organic shapes that turn upwards, similar to eyeliner wings. Where a nose would be, there are two black dots, the paint leaking downwards both off of their face and down their neck. Surrounding the person is a faint green, organic shape that spreads throughout the piece and into the lighter green background.

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Material Type: Mixed media works
Paintings (visual works)

Extent: 1 painting

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5w953p7k