Bestiary

Having a complicated upbringing and traversing multiple cultures, masks feel intensely personal to Oakley. Moving so often, to multiple countries, as a child she had to learn to blend into each new environment; to adapt and conceal and often wear a metaphorical mask.

These masks are not planned. The animal is chosen but Oakley’s practice is building up with multiple layers of paper until a personality emerges.

Masks have an interesting dichotomy: at once shielding and emboldening the traveler but also concealing and cutting off. They may also, however, lay bare unrevealed aspects of oneself. These fierce creatures that Oakley has created are representations of the power of each newfound facet, the marriage of animal and geographical influence brought to light. There is also a struggle inherent in this exploration. Self-discovery grapples with escape; vulnerability collides against resilience.