Shaman's Gaze

Mask by Kelly Turano

First Year Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Major

Inspiration

The inspiration for my mask is the contrast between light and dark as a representation of the highs and lows in the First Pages novel Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. The novel illustrates the family’s struggles regarding mental illnesses, addiction, and heartbreak. Although the family faces much darkness after moving their life to America from Ghana, the protagonist, Gifty, is able to make a successful life for herself through her research in neuroscience and relationships with other characters. My mask’s use of black and white represents the contrast between Gifty and her family’s difficulties as well as her hopeful final outcome."