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    Papier Mâché Bat Masks by Jym Davis Take Wing in Bold Portraits

    White bat, Florida. All images courtesy of Jym Davis, shared with permission

    Papier Mâché Bat Masks by Jym Davis Take Wing in Bold Portraits

    October 2, 2024

    Art Craft Nature Photography

    Kate Mothes

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    Atlanta-based artist Jym Davis, who also goes by False Face, has a thing for bats. He began making masks of the winged mammals during a series of residencies at national parks in the American West. In Arizona, he learned about Townsend’s big-eared bat and critically threatened species like the pallid bat in Northern California, Oregon, and Idaho.

    “(The Townsend’s big-eared bat’s) scrunched up, wrinkly faces, and huge ears seemed so sculptural and beautifully grotesque to me,” Davis tells Colossal. “The more strange and exotic bats I discovered, the more I was inspired to push my sculpting and painting techniques.”

    Pallid bat, Idaho

    When entering the caves or lava tubes that the bats call home, Davis takes precautions to help protect the animals from contagious diseases and fungi that visitors can track in on their shoes. “In the past century, bats were villainized and intentionally eradicated,” he says. “I think I have a particular fondness for bats because they are so historically misunderstood.”

    Drawn to ancient European festival traditions and materials used for centuries, Davis began making masks as a way to connect his work to history and the land.

    “For instance, I really love sculpting with papier mâché because it goes back hundreds of years,” he says. “I sew bells and ribbons into my outfits because it is another old festival element—even referenced by Shakespeare.” He typically avoids modern materials, especially anything made of plastic.

    Townsend’s big-eared bat, Arizona

    While Davis’s designs are based on real creatures, he often embellishes the masks with bold patterns, colors, and geometries. The pieces are part of a broader, ongoing body of work that he describes as a “menagerie of mythological characters,” which include a series of otherworldly avian creatures called Flood Birds and a grouping inspired by moths and butterflies titled Morph Angels, among others.

    Davis dons the masks amid natural settings and captures each personality in striking photographs and performances. This month, he is headed to Joshua Tree, California, for some photo sessions in preparation for his forthcoming book focused on Morph Angels.

    The artist currently has an albatross mask on view in FORAGE: OCEANS at Dorado 806 Projects in Los Angeles through October 12. Some of his masks are also available for sale on his website, and you can follow updates on Instagram.

    You might also enjoy Ashley Suszczynski’s ongoing documentation of ancient masked traditions.

    Bat, Florida

    Red bat, California

    Bat, Florida

    Pallid bat, Idaho

    White bat, Florida

    Red bat, Idaho

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    Vibrant Life Emanantes from Meggan Joy’s Magical Collaged Silhouettes

    “Try One’s Luck.” All images courtesy of J. Rinehart Gallery, shared with permission

    Vibrant Life Emanantes from Meggan Joy’s Magical Collaged Silhouettes

    September 9, 2024

    Art Nature Photography

    Grace Ebert

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    Thousands of individual flowers and plants grown in Meggan Joy’s Seattle garden form the contours of her ethereal figures. The artist (previously) collages perfectly trimmed photographs of each specimen into silhouettes lush with color and texture.

    In her most recent body of work titled Fever Dream, Joy draws on fear, loss, and the immense potential for pain. “Wide and Wild,” for example, depicts a woman cradling a Eurasian Eagle Owl near her heart. “She’s a piece for when you find your person (whether that be a lover, friend, kids, whatever), and once you have them, you know that if they disappear in any way, you also will be gone,” the artist shares in a statement.

    “Wide and Wild”

    Others relate to bad decisions yielding positive experiences and how etermal bonds require patience and understanding. Each work, Joy shares, “whisper(s) the components of the stories that tested us and, instead of condemning our faults, reveal that those moments left us the most exciting scars.

    Fever Dream is on view through September 25 at J. Rinehart Gallery. Follow Joy’s work on Instagram.

    “Thick As Thieves”

    “Thick As Thieves”

    “Try One’s Luck”

    “Icarus”

    “Tyche”

    Detail of “Wide and Wild”

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