The Dual Narrative

Therapeutic Reflection

The Mask Making intervention serves as a visual representation of the internal and external self. By creating a 3-dimensional piece that can be decorated on both the front and the back, clients can explore the complex relationship between their public persona and their hidden shadow self.

Theoretical Application

  • Psychodynamic Exploration: The mask facilitates the expression and integration of the persona (the external, conscious self) and the shadow (the inner self).

  • Relational & Social Aesthetics: Beyond the individual, the mask can reflect cultural values, political consciousness, and social identity, as well as individuality and belonging.

  • Somatosensory Integration: For clients with specific physiological experiences—such as those undergoing skin surgery or struggling with skin picking—the process of casting and layering to construct and adorn the mask serves as a tangible alternative for altering or processing bodily identity and repair.

Clinical Considerations

  • Contraindications: This intervention may be uncomfortable for clients with claustrophobia or tactile sensory sensitivity, as the wet plaster and facial casting can be distressing.

  • Future Advocacy: The follow-up process should focus on whether exploring these dualities has strengthened the client's ability to advocate for themselves in real-world settings. Discuss how wearing or displaying the mask has impacted their sense of self.

Artist Statement(s)

“The Dual Narrative”

This mask is a visual statement of my social consciousness and the internal tension between my public voice and my private hesitations in the world of politics.

In this work, I utilized newsprint and color to symbolize the "ingestion" of current events and my alignment with socially progressive perspectives. The exterior reflects confidence in creatively expressing views, as seen in the "Cat in the Hat" imagery.

However, the mask's interior reveals a different reality. A tangled mess of string behind the mouth symbolizes the feeling of being "tongue-tied" or uncomfortable during direct political dialogue. By placing these elements inside, I acknowledge a subconscious hesitancy and the "stop" symbols that represent the barriers to my own communication. This mask allows me to move between these states—wearing my beliefs on the outside while holding the complexity of my struggle and self-awareness to engage in conversations about my political thoughts effectively.