4-foot mask for Lachésis, Greek Goddess of Fate

Made by Mary

I make different sorts of puppets, masks, sculpture and paintings. And I seem almost always to use paper and glue in different forms and states. Even my latest paintings have become “infected”, and I enjoy creating images in relief using paper maché and paper clay (and if I’m here it’s because I’ve benefited from Jonni’s recipes, thank you!!).

This mask is worn by the spirit of Lachésis (she won’t appear to humans unless they go to the trouble of providing her with some sort of body!). During the show, it hovers over my head, her hands, also made with paper maché worked over carved foam, hold my body. It’s a lot of fun. Yes, the mask is heavy.

I started by creating the basic form with chicken coop netting (is that what you call it?!), then covered it with a couple of coats of paper covered with glue and removed the netting. Continued adding layers of paper (and sometimes cardboard) until the features were as good as I could do. I say it “hovers”, but in fact it’s mounted on kind of wooden tripod with wheels. (Our secret – The audience can’t see that).