Artist Statement
James Melville Corey
January 22, 2023

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I make my masks because it is my joy, and allows me to turn my anxiety, fear, and self-doubt daily into something true, beautiful, and good.

 

My mission is to inspire each of you to find your own unique creative outlet and do it every day.

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This river of masks emerged out of a confluence of events in 2018: A Commedia dell’Arte leather mask making workshop in Florence, Italy, my entry into Jungian psychotherapy, and a necessity to take my hypomania, or extra energy, and channel it into a creative outlet.

 

In Jungian psychotherapy I learned about the ego, or the mask we show to others. I learned about the shadow, that which we hide from others. I experienced the process of holding my shadow up into the light of personal reflection and witnessing it.

 

As a result, a multiplicity of selves has streamed out of my subconscious and created this flow.

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As you view my masks, I invite you to think about your own masks. What do you portray to others? I invite you to also think about your shadow.  What do you hide from others?  I then invite you to hold your shadow up into the light of personal reflection and witness it.

 

Embrace it. 

 

Love it!

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Jim

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James Melville Corey

 

Jamescoreyart.com

Instagram: jamescoreyartdotcom