Aritas has created an amazing art exhibit incorporating the mask as a genre, AND this being October, well, how appropriate is that!

These pieces are based on the antique “visards” which were pliable masks, held in place by a bead which is held in the teeth. In the case of THIS visard, the shell casing takes the place of the bead.

About a year ago, I asked her to create an exhibit and to employ some textile arts methods (she’s a multimedia artist). I knew she would come up with a fun show but I had NO idea she would create such a relevant exhibit!

Here’s what Aritas has to say about this body of work:

For over 7000 years humans have worn masks to adorn, restrict, entice, oppress, declare status or hide identity. Oscar Wilde has said; “Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth.” Through mixed media and textiles, Aritas plays with words, masks and the lesser known “visard” to hide and to reveal the old from the new, the deflection from the truth, and the desire from the outcome.

Aritas imagines and creates from a farmstead far North of Bellingham surrounded by a menagerie of fowl, felines, eclectic characters and muse inspired organic gardens.

We’re THRILLED to see what she’s been working on so put THIS Artwalk on your calendar for sure!

“Social Fabric” is the relationships and connections we make with one another, making us all a part of the common thread of society as a whole. ~ Renee Sherrer

Social Fabric is located in the Parkade Building at 1302 Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham. We’re open from 11-6 Monday through Saturday and 11-4 on Sundays. We are OPEN LATE during ARTWALKs and the COMMERCIAL STREET NIGHT MARKET!

Check out our website at www.socialfabricart.com, call us at 360.733.1323 or email us at info@socialfabricart.com if you have questions or want to enroll in a class.