Simultaneous Veil

Zoey Tiefenthaler "Simultaneous Veil"

6 x 4 x 2”, Stoneware Clay and Glass, 2022

The idea-creating process for this didn’t take too long since I wanted to make something non-conventional for my first project. I knew going into this that I wanted to do something resembling a mask.

The process of creating this started with figuring out the size of the mask and shaping it into a face-like shape. Once the main shape was molded, I started to carve out the basic look of the mask’s face. For some parts, I cut into the mask and took out parts of the clay to add depth. Other parts of the mask were created using other pieces of clay that were placed onto it. During all of this, I was constantly using the rib tool and sponge to smooth out the features, as well as the needle tool to cut out parts of the mask. Once the mask was fired, I sanded it vigorously before beginning to glaze. Using a variety of colors, I glazed several layers onto the mask, using darker glazes to emphasize depth. After I finished glazing, it was fired again and the project was finished.

The mask holds a literal split expression on its face. One side appears to smile gleefully while the other frowns in utter disgust. Its eyes pierce into the viewer’s own and the other oriental facial features add substance but also character. Strangely, the part on the mask’s forehead, perhaps a jewel or accessory of the mask, appears to have been removed. For what reason and by whom is unknown; it only adds to the mystery of this accessory.

Throughout the creation of this project, one thing that stuck out to me as an obstacle was the tedious work of smoothing out the mask’s features and figuring out what kind of features to attach to the mask. I overcame this challenge with time spent on the project, using the same tools to achieve a good texture. Though I was somewhat basic with the parts of the face, I didn’t want to overcomplicate things and spend too much time on it. If I had started over, I would’ve changed the colors of the glazes that I used. I was initially planning on having the mask’s base color be a creamy white, but it turned out a cracked turquoise. Obviously, the firing of the glaze didn’t go as planned but it’s not like it turned out horribly.

The style of this work is a mix of Abstract and Surrealism, mostly because of the subject of the work and its expression. What makes it unique to my own style is the overall expression of the mask and its purpose. It’s not something that’s conventional, but it’s unique. I’m fond of the mask’s expression and its bold stare, as well as how the glaze in the forehead leaks into where the jewel was. Though it didn’t turn out how I initially intended, I am still proud of the look of it.