Faculty of Art

Cross-Disciplinary Art: Life Studies

Pixel Heller

It Takes Two (Painting)

In my mask figure portrait paintings, the inspiration comes from the vibrant and colourful traditions of masquerade. The work is a celebration of identity, culture and Afrocentric aesthetics. I aim to combine tradition into the contemporary realm. The masks become more than a symbol; they are protectors, embodying the spirits. Through the lens of masquerade, my work becomes a representation of Black resilience and power.There’s been a conversation regarding appreciation and appropriation. While appreciation aims to empower through recognition, the line between the two, with appropriation further increasing and perpetuating stereotypes, is very fine. The marginalized are always commodified and dehumanized with characteristics shared with trophies. I aim to instill human values to traditional artifacts and perpetuate respect to my ancestors’ ability to keep a culture alive through attempted ethnocide, massacres, and enslavement.

“The paintings are what started my journey of reconnecting with my Caribbean identity. What started as painting has now transformed into various mediums, showcasing the versatility of my work and its meanings.”