Behind the Mask

This series explores vulnerability, identity and a false sense of belonging. Many times we present a facade of what we want people to see on the outside while masking our truth, challenges, and desires. More often than we ought to, we act and perform to the rhythm of society’s expectations, believing that we can navigate unnoticed in a sea of infinite eyes and applauses.

Behind the Mask (6-9/12)

Without it you feel vulnerable, insecure and unsure. Can you live life without caring about what others think of you? Knowing that this is the way to go, you can’t help but wonder if you are brave enough to see it through. You convince yourself that wearing the mask is a lot easier than facing the world as you ought to, that confidence, strength and acceptance comes from it alone. Perhaps, it is true what they say about the mask that the wearer becomes a medium that allows communication between the community and the spirits, and whoever wears it becomes possessed by them to act and perform for the crowd, for adoration and acknowledgement. The drums start playing, you throw caution to the wind, letting yourself go, matching your movements to the rhythm of society’s favourite song “align or be cast out”. With every step, you forget who you are, your sense of self drowned by the sounds of conformity’s applause. The noise dies down, consciousness regained, you are weary and alone again. you ponder over the point of it all and how it always brings you back here…