Carmen Lopez Villamil:Inspired by the Caribbean and Central American masks in El Museo

"Inspired by the Caribbean and Central American masks in El Museo’s permanent collection. The masks don’t have a sole artist or date, because it’s a style of folk art that has existed for centuries. These pieces come from Puerto Rico, and were made within the last hundred years. My family has around 5 masks that are in the exact same style and hang in my parents’ room - so the pieces in El Museo inspired me to observe and reflect upon the masks in my own home. I created my own miniature masks out of clay. Though I think the scale of the original masks accounts for part of their power and beauty, my own versions make me feel something vaguely similar to those in my parents’ room; a mixture of distance/disconnect, respect/pride, and cheer." -Carmen Lopez Villamil