Wievien is a Netherlands-based artist who uses the concept of the mask not to hide from something but to reveal to others the most hidden parts of her personality. Suppressed emotions in her creations become true characters, extravagant, colourful, or dark, each aimed at expressing the complexity of her inner world.
Her graduation project, Nothing is What It Seems, explores the transformative power of this concept. She designed 29 pieces incorporating a variety of materials to enhance their emotional depth and complexity. ‘Masks play significant roles in various cultures for storytelling, spiritual ceremonies, and identity transformation. Inspired by their historical use in tribal rituals to drive away demons, I became curious about using masks for personal expression. By creating masks that embody my inner turmoil and emotions, I externalise and process these feelings, effectively driving away my own inner demons through artistic expression.’ This cathartic process helps her recognise and embrace parts of herself previously concealed, aiding in understanding and navigating her identity.
CO: What ideas or themes inspire your work?
WA: My work is deeply inspired by themes of identity, emotional vulnerability, and history, particularly my Brazilian heritage. My grandmother, three generations back, belonged to an Indigenous Brazilian ethnic group that used masks extensively in their rituals. This rich cultural history fascinates me and heavily influences my designs, shaping an ‘Indígenas Brasileiros’ (Indigenous Brazilian) aesthetic.
The COVID-19 pandemic stripped away all distractions, forcing me into solitude and deep self-reflection. During this time, I realised that I had been metaphorically wearing masks, concealing my true self. This realisation ignited a desire to discover my authentic identity and find ways to empower and express those hidden parts of myself. As a designer, I’m drawn to the expressive power of colour and materials. Bold colours resonate with my personality, allowing me to experiment with vibrant combinations, colour blocking, and monochromatic schemes to create dynamic designs. I believe in the transformative impact of colour to evoke strong emotional responses, as well as the ability of textures and materials to add depth and dimension to my work.
CO: What are the biggest challenges you face in your practice?
WA: One of the main challenges of my project is addressing how difficult it is for people to acknowledge and remove their figurative masks, as not everyone is ready to accept that they are wearing one. The project aims to raise awareness about the masks we wear and how we might wear them in the future.
While these social masks can be protective and necessary for different roles, it’s challenging to simply ask people to remove them. To address this moving forward, I plan to create workshops where participants can design their own masks, allowing them to explore a piece of the process I went through. This hands-on experience will hopefully motivate them to examine their own emotions and the masks they wear in daily life. The workshops will include journaling reflections and sharing circles where participants can discuss their stories, journeys, and thought processes with each other.
I also faced personal challenges like procrastination. I overcame this by talking to other artists who advised me to connect with the playfulness of the creative process and let ideas flow naturally. This approach not only sparked new ideas and motivation but also helped me set and adhere to deadlines, which was crucial given my tendency to procrastinate. By engaging others in the creative process and sharing my own experiences, I hope to inspire a deeper understanding and acceptance of one’s true self, fostering personal growth and emotional healing.
Instagram @wievienalberts
All featured images are courtesy of the artist.
With this feature, the annual SO MINT! series is coming to an end for 2024. We will open the call for applications for graduates again in May 2025.
