
Artist Statement
James Melville Corey
January 22, 2023
​
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.
​
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.
​
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!
​
Jim
​
​
James Melville Corey
Jamescoreyart.com
Instagram: jamescoreyartdotcom