EMMANUELLE BECKER
Unmasked

Mysterious and impenetrable, masks are both disturbingly inexpressive and powerfully evocative. They are worn in fashion, in the performing arts, in ceremonies and rituals, in celebrations of all kinds... Although masks are used to hide our true identities and conceal our emotions, my images of masks are, on the contrary, portraits, not intended to conceal but rather reveal certain aspects of our psyche. With their faces covered, the models lose their own identity and become psychologically one with the creatures of my fantasies. In this way, the work raises many questions about the very notion of identity, hence the title of the series: "Unmasked". To create these images, I start by making masks, using both natural and recycled materials, and then bring them to life through staged photography. The body of work is intended to invite the viewer to explore the complexities of what is persona.

Author
Emmanuelle Becker is an artist-photographer living in Paris. She studied photography and printmaking at the George Washington University in Washington, DC., graduating with honors and pursued a Masters degree in painting at Pratt Institute in NYC. She has exhibited her work in Europe, Western Asia and the United States and is the recipient of multiple awards and distinctions. Her work has appeared in several international photography publications.

Website
www.emmanuellebecker.co

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