Trail Spirits
Nature Sculpture - Creating Organic Masks Out of Gourds and Other Natural Materials
Trail Spirits
Nature Sculpture - Creating Organic Masks Out of Gourds and Other Natural Materials
Unique Art Work in Asheville, North Carolina
Trail Spirit Masks
Masks can represent characters, spirits, or ancestors, serving as a powerful symbol in both ritual and artistic expression. They are a universal art form, being used in all cultures for various purposes. Examples include African tribal ceremonies for initiations, as well as Mexican folk art dances and Inuit shamanic rituals. The use of masks in theater is ancient, allowing actors to portray characters such as gods, demons, and spirits. They have also been worn for disguise, such as in the early pagan origins of Halloween where people wore masks to avoid being recognized by ghosts, or in the modern day celebration of Mardi Gras.
Certain masks are believed to "call spirits" by embodying the spirits of supernatural beings. Through dances or rituals the mask is believed to actually embody a spirit when worn by a dancer. The dancer them becomes the personification of the spirit it represents, serving as a medium for communication between the human and spiritual worlds.
Trail Spirit Masks also have a spiritual function. As potent, animistic symbols they summon the spirits of the natural world to us. We are becoming more and more separated from our natural environment as contemporary culture becomes more technological and urban. Most people rarely notice the cycles of the moon, the subtle changes in weather patterns, or the habits of the forest creatures. We live in climate controlled buildings with artificial electric lighting and digital entertainment unaware of the wonders of the natural world. We are losing our connection to nature, leaving a spiritual void an an imbalance in our lives. The purpose of Trail Spirits is to provide a bridge to the natural world in order to bring balance to our spiritual and emotional selves.
Trail Spirits are made from traditional and found materials: gourds and natural objects collected in the wilderness while hiking, hence their name. The use of such materials give the masks an Appalachian character reminiscent of Folk Art. Each mask is unique. They usually project a whimsical presence, but as a group there is a range of expressions and personalities.
Because of shipping logistics, only the smaller and medium sized masks are shown on this site. To view the larger more detailed pieces please visit my Facebook page at Philip Hulsey Artwork. Trail Spirit Masks can also be purchased at the galleries listed below, or at one of this season's upcoming art festivals, again listed below. Scheduled appointments to visit my studio are also welcomed.
The Natural Artist
Philip is originally from Chincoteague Island, Virginia, where he grew up a nature lover. This connection with nature has played an important role in his art, his ideas, and where he is at his point in life. Life's journey has led him to Asheville, an art enclave located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Here he finds an abundant source of inspiration in living systems, patterns in nature, and the wilderness around him.
Galleries:
Carolina Mountain Artists Guild
444 N Main Street, Hendersonville, NC
Artisans On Main
14 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC
Re.Imagine Gallery
15 Spivey Lake Drive
Fairview, NC
Events:
A
Home Sweet Home / Gallery Exhibition
Re.Imagine Gallery
Fairview, NC
Opening: October 19
Show runs through early January
Fairview Handmade Market
Turgua Brewery in Fairview, NC
December 7
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