⚡️F O L K A R T I S F O L K M A G I C⚡️
I grew up in Appalachia and now live in Brooklyn. I am heavily influenced by surrealism; I love symbolism, mythology, native/naive ways of thinking and doing, and ritual/intentional practices. But mostly, I am a lover of narrative: I believe all things, all places, and all people have a story to them.
I make each mask out of papier-maché and I sew all the flowers and fringe on by hand. I draw and paint the designs on, often using stencils I’ve created inspired by textile patterns, or Pennsylvania Dutch hex design or vintage teapots or old botanical illustrations. I make all the wool tassels and pom-poms as well!
Each mask has this folk magic message written on the inside:
ALL PEOPLE
OF GOOD HEART & A PURE SOUL
CAN PERFORM MIRACLES
⚡️🙏🏼⚡️
Get out there and do what you do.
Thanks for looking,
emilie gallagher
