The Many Faces of Robert Irwin
Posted on | November 13, 2009 | 3 Comments
For the past seven years, visual artist Robert Irwin has been working with hard shell gourds, creating masks and dolls that have appeared in 12 shows and the book Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures
The story of his mask-making begins in his studio, winds around the world to New Guinea and ends up back in California where he uses local gourds and found materials to create these engaging and beautiful forms.
How did you get into mask making and working with gourds? In 2000, my wife and I were doing the “Open Studio” thing, walking around, going to artist’s studios. We visited one studio where the woman made gourd bowls. She had a sign up that she was going to give a class. My wife took the class, and got interested in making gourd bowls and figures. At this time I was painting, mostly oil abstract. My wife shared my studio, making her gourd stuff.
In 2001 we went to Papua, New Guinea. It was a fascinating cultural trip. New Guinea has many little villages, each with their own language and culture, but one thing I noticed in each different village: masks. While the style and cultural significance was different village to village, the concept was the same. Masks. Masks for the ancestors, masks for the yams, masks for good harvest, masks for recreating their history.
When we returned home, I picked up one of the gourds in my studio and made a mask. I have been fascinated with them ever since.
You’ve furthered your studies of these gourd creations in Papua, New Guinea and the Maskelyne Islands, Vanuatu. Can you give us a glimpse into those experiences? A few years after our first New Guinea trip, we went to Vanuatu. My wife is a travel agent, and she was working with a travel agent in Vanuatu. He asked about our interests and my wife mentioned my mask making. One of the Islands he recommended was Maskelyne Island in the Malekulas. We didn’t know why he recommended it but we said OK.
We boarded a tiny plane which dropped us off on a grass field. Turns out this village may not have seen a white non-missionary person for a long time. We were taken in by Chief Kalo Nathaniel and his family. “I hear you want to learn to make masks. Let me show you the ones we used to wear when we were cooking the Missionaries.” The village elders even staged a dance for us and showed us “the cooking place.” I asked about their current feelings about the missionaries. “Before the missionaries came we use to fight a lot and eat our enemies. The missionaries told us that the big god in the sky didn’t want us to do that.”
After I completed my mask, Chief Kalo traded masks with me. I display very proudly in my home the mask made by the Chief.
Where do you find the gourds, weaving materials, bones and other elements of your art? The gourds come from two farms here in California, one in Folsom, and one in Fallbrook. Most of the other material I find. Walking the beaches, parks, etc. Basically just keeping my eyes open and finding stuff.
How does a design begin? How much is planned and how much emerges as you go? The design begins with the shape of the gourd. A shape may suggest to me, oh, say a face. I then generally begin with the eyes. If I think I want to use shells, I may pick up and hold on the gourd fifty different shells until I think “this is it.” Then I go on to other features. Sometimes a piece comes come together quite quickly. Other times it can take me days to put the whole thing together.
The masks seem like ceremonial artifacts. How do traditional designs influence and inspire your pieces? Actually, I pretend that I am on an island, and am the one who makes the ceremonial mask for the islanders. Before I start, I tell myself “these people need a harvest mask” or “these people want a mask to venerate their ancestors”
What other forms does your creativity take? Lately I have become interested in baskets. When I started weaving baskets, I realized I wanted to make basket masks. That’s what I’ve been doing lately.
What’s next for you? Fortunately, I don’t know. I like not knowing.
Email Robert: rob99[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
See more of Robert’s creations: MySoiree.net
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Tags: gourd dolls > gourd masks > Maskelyne Island > New Guinea > Robert Irwin
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November 14th, 2009 @ 12:59 PM
Great interview and artwork!
November 26th, 2009 @ 11:49 PM
Hey, I just met this guy and his wife tonight at a Thanksgiving at my friend’s house. Robert is also very funny and entertaining – and carves a mean turkey
Robert and Wendy are doing a show:
Dec 12 & 13
11am – 5pm
158 Towne Terrace in Santa Cruz
November 26th, 2009 @ 11:52 PM
Forgot to say that this is a great interview, Cat! Thanks!