Mask Styles and History

Kym is a nature mystic and is deeply inspired by the ideas of life and death within nature. She created her own technique of carefully gathering bark from dead trees and forming the bark into a unique character with lifelike qualities. In a sense she is bringing the dead tree back to life. Kym has also experimented with the use of dried leaves, poplar fluff and other organic items like a wasps nest. Other items that Kym likes to frequently use in her masks are crystals. She believes that each crystal has its own unique healing properties. To learn more about crystals and their meanings please go to the healing products section of Chi Customs.

Kym is fascinated by folklore and the idea that folklore creatures truly exist! Look for images of Gnomes, Faeries and Elves along with many other magical creatures in her masks! This is where they truly come to life! Kym also realizes and appreciates aspects of the light and dark realms throughout her art.

Mexican folk art has been around for about 2000 years. Most of the art was primarily used for religious ritual purposes.

Kym uses Mexican folk art throughout her masks, primarily for day of the dead skulls. Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) takes place on November 1st. Skulls are created to represent the spirit and to honor those that have passed. The skulls are decorated with bright colours and images.

Japanese Noh is a classic musical drama performed since the 14th century. A Noh performance lasts all day and consists of about five Noh plays. Noh plays primarily focus on Japanese tradition.

All of the characters wear masks and there are about 80 different characters. Below are some descriptions of the characters that Kym likes to portray in her masks.

Young Man: A wise man of determination and high status< possibly a warrior.

Devil Woman: A jealous female demon that guards against other demons entering your home.

Old Soul: An experienced and wise woman ready for spirit manifestation.

Demon: The most agitated, angry and evil demonic spirit.

Spirit Woman: A calm and extremely beautiful woman. She is a poet with deep passion and wisdom, deeply devoted to a loved one.

Commedia Del Arte means “Artistic Comedy” and is always improvised. It originated in Italy in the 14th century and flourished through to the 18th century.

Commedia Del Arte characters always wear masks. Each mask has its own physical traits and colours. They also have their own unique personalities.

Arlecchino is a poor mask that wears bright colorful clothing made from patches. He is smart, arrogant and greedy. He is always hungry, but unfortunately never has money.

Il Capitano is a military captain and typically wears a soldiers uniform. He tends to speak more than he fights. He speaks quite bravely and then typically runs away when it comes to the action.

Columbina is beautiful brilliant, and vane. She is a sweet talker and loves to gossip. She often likes to make fun at somebody else's expense.

Pulcinella wears a white costume with a sugar loaf hat. He is philosophical and melancholic. He is a dreamer who has a spirit all of his own.

Il Dottore always wears black and is well groomed. He is very arrogant and knows everything there is to know about science. He talks a lot and tends to impersonate Lawyers, Judges.

Brighella is a violent character who is exaggerated in his behavior. He is a womanizer, persuasive in his love pursuits and a liar.

Pantalone is a Venetian merchant. He is very rich and greedy, but also very naïve. Often his riches are stolen from a thief who has out smarted him!

Zanni is a poor and desperate mask. He is quite ignorant but outsmarts many. He is often made fun of by everybody.