Jasper

Jasper. Plaster bandage, paper clay decorated with acrylic paint. Happy, smiling expression mask. Overall smooth mask with sculpted rounded cheeks and chin. Slightly puffy around eyes. Mouth open in a smiling shape with corners turned up with top teeth showing. Lips painted dark red, teeth painted white. Mask overall painted in flesh tones, eyebrows painted brown, lines around eyes painted light red.

Part of the Taiko Noh Mask Series, these masks were created by Zarco Guerrero for Koshio Gumi Taiko Drum Troupe to perform in at Cultural Coalition’s 2023 Mask Alive Festival in Mesa.

Inspired by the traditional Noh Masks, Zarco studied during his time in Japan, he describes these masks as specially created and made directly on each drummer's individual face. Every mask has the features and characterizations of Noh masks, but the shapes are different to fit the performer's face - which means they are custom made for each person. Traditional Noh masks are smaller with the same dimensions.