Arts, Crafts and Traditional Industries (Book 1)

A mask is a face covering, usually worn to protect or disguise the face.

Mask making is an art whose history goes back to 20,000 BC. Although it is not exactly known when or why people started to create masks, it is certain that hunters and gatherers created masks from natural products (animal skins, animal bones, branches, grasses, leaves, feathers etc.) to try to sneak up on animals.

Since ancient times and throughout human civilisation masks have had a significant role, particularly warrior masks, armour, masks used in healing activities (physician’s mask), death masks and other religious rituals.

The Greeks and Romans introduced masks in theatrical productions. Masks are now used in costume parties, carnivals, festivals, and by performers such as dancers, comedians and actors. Children also love to dress up.

Civilisations which are or were traditionally users of masks are the Egyptian, Chinese, Greek and Roman; countries where they are used include Italy, many parts of Africa, India, Japan, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico and America. Each country has its own style of making masks, but the basic principles are more or less the same everywhere.

Protective masks are mainly safety or occupational masks, such as welders’ masks, gas masks and radiation protection workers’ mask, or devices to protect against other health hazards. There are also radiotherapy masks, worn during radiotherapy investigation and treatment. Masks are also used in medical and cosmetic procedures, as disguises, in sports (hockey, fencing) and in the fashion industry.

There are many ways of making masks and the techniques of mask making include sculpting, moulding, casting, fabricating, decorating and painting. The procedure also depends on the types of materials available in particular places, the types of materials individuals choose and the methods used. However, it largely involves work with clay, wood, plaster, cement, plastic, acrylic, metals, latex, neoprene, vinyl, PVC, foam, papier maché, leather, silicone, paint, fur, feathers, hair, teeth, horn, sea shells, glass, porcelain and so on. The tools used also depend on the types of materials one is working on.

For example, for a leather mask, the tools are usually a sharp knife or scalpel, fabric shears, steel straight edge and modelling spatula. Leather mask making begins with softening the leather. This is done by placing the leather in warm water and then draining and leaving it to dry at least for thirty minutes. To make a mould shape , the leather is bent, stretched and creased . To colour it, dyes or paints are used. For that, brushes, applicators or sponges are required. A cloth is used to dry and burnish; then Necessary decorations are added and the mask is finished by applying metallic finish or by glazing or varnishing.

For a wooden mask, the tools needed are wood saw, drill, chisels, wood carving knives, wood glue and decorating materials such as paints, features, glitter etc. The Method is to make a sketch on paper and then cut the wood the right size and shape on the basis of the sketch. Drill the holes for an eye, mouth, and nose and carve the wood to the desired design, making further holes if necessary. Paint the wood or attach the feathers, glitter or other decorating materials.

To make a clay mask, the clay is firstly cut from a block of clay and then rolled out using a slab roller. A mould is needed to create a pottery mask. Sculpting of the face is done from the mould, taken from the clay. Facial features are made by pushing, pressing, punching and trimming. For this, needle tools and trimming tools are needed. A ceramic mask is glazed and painted before it goes for firing.

What are the health issues?

Tool-related injuries, including knife cuts,during mask-making processes have been reported.Health issues depend on the types of materials in use during handling; and the affects are mostly musculo-skeletal, skin-related (dermatitis) or respiratory (occupational asthma or irritation) as a result of exposure to certain mask-making processes.