ONE-OFF
✶ HANDCRAFTED MASKS ✶
Ornamental masks, used as accessories to complement costumes and also to decorate spaces.
For the conception of these works, I developed clay and plaster molds, and worked with papier-mâché, wood filler, and plaster. They were all meticulously handcrafted, designed, developed, sculpted, and painted one by one. Creating unique pieces is essential to my work, ensuring that each mask has its own singularity.
My main source of inspiration in creating these masks is primarily global mythology, although I am open to various themes, as I also take personalized commissions.
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✶ maned wolf | commission (2023)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the brazilian cerrado canid, the maned wolf.
The maned wolf, also known as "lobo-guará" or "guará," is the largest canid in South America and inhabits the Brazilian Cerrado. It has a reddish or orange coat, which makes it quite distinctive. As a top predator, the maned wolf feeds on fruits, small animals, and insects. Unfortunately, it is endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting. To protect this species, it is crucial to preserve its habitat and raise awareness about its significance to the Cerrado ecosystem.
✶ magmatic kitsune | commission (2023)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint, gold leaf, and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the traditional japanese noh masks.
According to Japanese folklore, kitsunes are fox spirits that possess superhuman abilities, such as the ability to shape-shift and control people's minds. They are considered magical and spiritual beings, connected to nature, and are seen as divine beings or messengers of the gods. Kitsunes are a well-known figure in contemporary Japanese culture and are often portrayed in comics, cartoons, movies, TV shows, and video games.
✶ classic kitsune | commission (2022)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the traditional japanese noh masks.
Kitsune masks are used in various occasions such as festivals, theaters, religious rituals, and even wedding ceremonies. They play significant roles in traditional theatrical performances like Noh and Kyogen.
These captivating images emerged from a fruitful collaboration I engaged in with the talented photographer and stylist Max Rocha (IG @maxupgrade) and the stunning model Amanda Melo (IG @oui.amand).
✶ anubis | commission (2022)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the ancient egyptian God Anubis.
Anubis is a deity from ancient Egyptian mythology associated with death, embalming, and the afterlife. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a standing jackal. Anubis played an important role in the process of mummification and the judgment of the souls of the deceased in the Egyptian underworld. He was considered the guardian of tombs and the protector of necropolises. Additionally, Anubis was a god associated with wisdom and magic. His image was widely used in funerary rituals, and he was revered as a powerful divine figure in the Egyptian pantheon.
✶ neon kitsune | commission (2021)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint, rhinestones and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the japanese kitsune masks, customized in a contemporary way.
Kitsune masks continue to be an integral part of modern Japanese culture. They are frequently worn in traditional festivals, parades, and art exhibitions, keeping alive the tradition and aesthetic of the legendary Japanese foxes.
Kitsune masks are a fascinating example of Japan's rich cultural heritage, offering a unique glimpse into the beliefs and myths surrounding foxes in the country.
✶ ཨོཾ OM kitsune | commission (2021)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the traditional japanese noh masks. The symbol on the forehead of the mask is the syllable "OM" (ཨོཾ), written in tibetan.
Kitsune masks symbolize transformation, wisdom, and ambiguity. They are also associated with protection against evil and are considered spiritual guardians. Furthermore, it is believed that foxes can assume human forms, and these masks are thought to aid in that metamorphosis.
✶ contemporary kitsune | commission (2021)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the japanese kitsune masks, customized in a contemporary way.
This Kitsune mask was originally commissioned and later selected as a standout accessory to complement the costume of a character in the acclaimed Brasília short film titled 'Kung Fu Allef' (2021), under the skillful direction of Gabriel Pinheiro. This short film was part of the official selection at the Kinoforum - 33rd São Paulo International Short Film Festival, 28th Vitória Film Festival 2022, and IV Fantastic Film Festival of Brasília.
✶ exordial kitsune | commission (2020)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
30 x 24cm
Custom piece inspired by the traditional japanese noh masks.
✶ NÆON cat | felidae trilogy #3 (2020)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
26 x 23,5cm
This piece was inspired by the neon visionary art aesthetic.
I named this mask Næon, a combination of the word "neon" (a chemical element) and "Aeon" (a term used to designate a long period of time or "eternity"). My initial inspiration for painting this mask was the aesthetic of neon lights from the film "Enter the Void" (2009), which takes place in Tokyo. I also drew references from this film due to its concepts surrounding the process of life, death, and reincarnation according to Tibetan Buddhism. Additionally, I found inspiration in the fluorescent and intriguing aesthetics of the Cheshire Cat from "Alice in Wonderland," a character known for the unique ability to make its body disappear at will, leaving only its visible smile behind. The mask represents the all-seeing vision, the transcendence of matter, and the transmutation of existence and time.
✶ مخفي MUKHFI cat | felidae trilogy #2 (2018)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
26 x 23,5cm
This mask was the second one I've ever created, it was inspired by the ancient egyptian Goddess Bastet.
I named this piece مخفي Mukhfi, which in arabic means "hidden". It was inspired by the Egyptian deity Bastet, associated with fertility, sexuality, and childbirth, depicted as a female figure with a cat head. Additionally, I drew references from the symbolism of the "The Moon" tarot card in Aleister Crowley's "Thoth" deck.
✶ ハスの HASUNOHANA cat | felidae trilogy #1 (2018)
papier-mâché, plaster, acrylic paint and varnish
26 x 23,5cm
This one was actually the first mask I ever created, it was inspired by the japanese kitsune noh masks, I remodeled the shape of the classic kitsune masks to the shape of a cat's face.
This is my first mask, titled ハスの花 Hasunohana, which means "lotus" in Japanese, and it is part of the Felidae triad that I have developed. It was created based on the traditional masks of Japanese folklore, known as kitsune masks. Additionally, I sought inspiration from the undulating, pointed, and golden ornaments found in Thai buddhist temples.
For commissions, collaborations, doubts, suggestions and others,
send an email to minutecontato@gmail.com
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