May/June 2015: Carlee Pakes

Carlee Pakes
Curated by Alex Priest
May/June 2015

Animal mythos, totems and folklore from different cultures have aided our understanding of the world. These stories have captivated the artist’s imagination, and she relishes hearing the histories that all civilizations tell. To each society, animals are allegories and personify vital roles that are revered by humankind. They are regular creatures given divine identities, worshiped for their unique strengths, or have some unknown spiritual significance.

These narratives are exemplified through use of watercolors, gouache, and ink. Color and pattern are both influential and significant in the vivid designs of the masks, and it allows Pakes to characterize the animals she represents.