Hidden
identities
Signatures
Gallery to exhibit
Youngbloods Behind the Mask
Each
painting centers upon
a young lady with a mask
Staff
Report
VEVAY, Ind. (December 2009) Signatures of
Switzerland County in Vevay will play host to an opening reception
on Friday, Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to mark the premier of Madison,
Ind. artist Jenny Straub Youngbloods latest group of paintings.
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Photo
provided
Jenny
Straub
Youngbloods Behind
the Mask exhibit
explores the dynamic between reality
and perception.
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The exhibit, titled Behind the Mask, consists
of eight vibrant, dreamlike paintings that explore the dynamic between
reality and perception, sincerity and deceit, and the interaction between
animal and human worlds.
Each painting centers upon a young lady with a mask. Youngblood meticulously
crafted the masks depicted in the paintings. She then photographed and
sketched models posing with her masks as a basis for the final work.
As to the symbolism of the masks, the artist elaborates, I am
mesmerized by mans ability to feel one way but portray something
else. This series explores the complex beings that humans are.
Youngblood drew much of her inspiration from one of her favorite movies,
the 1986 Jim Henson-Brian Froud-George Lucas production, Labyrinth.
I was particularly inspired by the ballroom scene in Labyrinth
when Sarah dances with the Goblin King (David Bowie). It is a masquerade
ball, and they are the only people there not wearing masks. The people
in the masks seem to be mocking her, says Youngblood.
The models in her paintings each shares the composition with a creature
from the animal kingdom with which they seem to possess a familiar kinship.
Stylistically, the paintings explore the realm of surrealism- a marked
departure from the artists usual straightforward style of portraiture.
In the eighth painting, the artist depicted herself, and unlike the
other figures, she is not wearing her mask, but holding it, as if revealing
her true self.
Behind the Mask will be on display through
Dec. 30. Signatures of Switzerland County is located at 120 W. Main
St., in Vevay. For more information, call (812) 427-2024.
Back to December 2009
Articles.