BALANCING CHAOS | "AFRICAN MASK"

In Balancing Chaos | African Mask, the artist presents a symbolic self-portrait through an African mask, adorned with a subtle, knowing smile and vibrant flowers blooming from its ears. These elements reflect innocence and optimism, yet beneath the youthful appearance lies emotional intelligence and sharp discernment.

Often perceived as naïve due to her light-hearted presence, the artist uses this misjudgment as a tool to observe how others treat perceived vulnerability. The mask becomes both a shield and a mirror—revealing more about others than herself. It is a sacred instrument of discernment.

The Trickster Archetype, one of Carl Jung’s 12 primary archetypes, often plays the fool or feigns innocence to conceal deeper intentions or inner wisdom. Beneath the appearance of naivety lies a sharp, cunning awareness—one that uses misdirection, humor, and disruption to challenge norms and reveal hidden truths.

But there is a deeper truth beyond performance: authenticity. 

True authenticity is not about wearing a mask for protection or manipulation—it’s about wearing the mask of your soul, the one that reflects who you truly are. While the Trickster’s mask can serve a purpose, staying in character for too long risks disconnecting from those who would recognize and respect your real essence. When you lead with authenticity, rather than performance, you create space for genuine connection—and invite in those who honor you for exactly who you are. 

 True power comes not from manipulation, but from embodying the soul's truth. This work challenges the bias of appearances and reclaims innocence as a profound form of wisdom—one that exists inherently in animals and children, who are born pure before the world imposes its defilements.

In many African traditions, masks are not simply art—they are spiritual tools, connecting the wearer to ancestors and the unseen. By casting herself as the mask, the artist declares: This is not just how I appear—this is who I am in spirit.

To balance chaos is not to escape it, but to face it fully—with authenticity and the quiet power of knowing who you truly are.