Marcella Hayes Muhammad
Maruvian Mende Mask Diptych by Marcella Hayes Muhammad, Image 1.
I reimagined traditional Mende masks as a vertical, two-panel study in color, pattern, and form. Warm ochres and deep greens suggest the stylized faces with their closed, slitted eyes, while looping blue-green bands and pearl-like beads weave around them, creating a rhythmic, almost ceremonial procession. Vertical patterned strips—evocative of woven textiles—anchor the composition and add a contrasting geometric pulse to the flowing, organic shapes. The work uses layered color blending and controlled brushwork to build soft gradients and crisp edges, giving the abstracted masks a sculptural presence across both panels. It presents ideals of feminine beauty, morality, and spiritual power through simplified shapes and expressive color rather than literal representation. A bold, patterned focal piece that brings warmth and movement to a room—perfect for a living area, studio, or hallway.