The Unmasked Samurai by Martha Lord
The Unmasked Samurai by Martha Lord
Artwork
Photography and acrylic on canvas
Framed
155 (H) x 125 cm (W)
Artist Statement
Lowering his mask this unnamed Samurai reveals his face. Called Men-Yoroi or Menpo these masks were facial armour worn by Japanese Samurai.
Menpo not only offered protection but also served to conceal the Samurai’s facial expressions, adding an air of mystery and fear on the battlefield.
These masks were an emblematic symbol of the Samurai’s resilience, skill and unwavering commitment to their code of honour, Bushido.
About The Artist
Martha Lord is a Melbourne based artist and designer who has exhibited nationally and internationally for the past two decades.
“My work is strongly influenced by Greek mythology, as my parents would relay stories to me while growing up as a second-generation Greek-Australian. I also draw heavily upon Eastern philosophies and culture as I have practiced martial arts for many years, with works in these series paying homage to the antique emperor and empress portraits of the past. The works that I create are an interpretation of how mythological and historical figures would be if they existed today, in the now.
When creating the gods and warriors in my portraits, I tend to work instinctively and let my subconscious play. Knowing intuitively what figure I would like to take shape in my work, images are built by piecing together fragments of bodies photographed from magazines. For example, I will use the eyes from one image, a mouth from another, the body from another and so on. This is achieved using photography and photoshop, taking many hours of digital drawing and editing. Once I am satisfied with the image created, I have it printed on canvas or board, and from there start to paint over, adding texture, colour, and different mediums. The end result is a mixed-media combination of digital photography and painting which, through many layers, acts as a portrayal of the figures' power, strength, and immortality, and a celebration of the feminine, masculine, and everything in between.”
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