Last year I visited a large shop here that was filled with antique Mexican folk art.  They had two huge walls filled with masks.  Luckily I photographed many of those masks because the shop is not open this year.

What I have learned about the meanings of these masks depends on the town or region of origin.  Masquerades occur mostly south of San Miguel and toward the western part of the country.  They are used at festivals and celebrations throughout the year that include Easter, Day of the Dead, and local patron saints' days.  Many fall into one of several categories: devils, old people, clowns, tigers, negros, Spanish conquerors, pharisees.  Sometimes the meaning of a mask will change depending on the festival or reinactment.  Most are carved from wood, although there are some made of rubber from inner tubes, paper mache, or tin.  The mask is only part of a whole body costume.





Yesterday I completed my print series inspired by masks.  Actually, I ran out of BFK paper that I brought with me and print paper is not available in San Miguel.  I completed 20 prints and am happy with most of them.  Today I begin a new project with the oriental papers I brought.  Am toying with the idea of making small prints and making a book with them.  We'll see....



Masks tend to be expensive, $200 and up, but bargain shopper that I am, I found a mask for about $10!  Notice that this diablo mask has blue eyes!