Masks of Asia

Japanese Mask

Sketches of masks from West Bengal

One of my life long passions has been the collecting of various cultural and ethnic objects, it was with great delight that I discovered an exhibition of Asian masks recently in Bangkok. Portugal's Orient Museum in Lisbon had sent out the collection as part of the 500th year celebration marking diplomatic relations with Thailand. Staged in the new Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, the exhibition presented a wide variety of work from all the corners of Asia.

Subject unknown

Sketches of masks from Sri Lanka
The old man and the Yakun for exorcist ritual carried out to chase away disease

Demon mask  West Bengal?

Wayang Topeng[left] Tibetan Cloth mask.
Bottom mask Prince Maname

The collection covers a wide range of religious, ritualistic and theatrical masks. Cloth masks from Tibet, Bird and animal works from the Wayang Topeng and some sickening Old Man masks from Sri Lanka with his counter part, the matching demon Gurula Raksa. This ritual takes place when someone fall ill and the spirits are called upon to drive out the evil and restore the victim's health.

Subject unknown

Top row Guan Yu Chinese god of war & Chinese monk.
Two wooden mask from the Himalayas

West Bengal supplied several animal masks such as elephants, crocodile and formalized tigers. China was represented by monks among other items including several of Guan Yu, the god of war. There were some very unusual art works from the Himalayas. No photos were allowed so I spent an hour doing quick sketches of the pieces between the rounds of the guard. I don't think they liked anyone drawing either for what reasons I will never know! Luckily I had a few Balinese examples in my personal collection ,so I have substituted them instead.

Subject unknown

Balinese [personal collection]

This Kwok On collection is part of over 10,000 objects in this ethnographic museum, so I must make a note to visit if I am in Lisbon again. However for now and this is my second visit I am just enjoying these wonderful cultural object from many of the great Asian civilizations.

Balanese Princess [personal collection]

Balanese [personal collection]

If you ever fined yourself in Bangkok be sure to visit the Art and Cultural Centre there is always something worth while going on. Exhibitions, concerts or jazz session, there was even a Portuguese Fardo event coming up. Unfortunately the exhibition did not label the various work, so I must apologize for the lack of imformation about names and stories behind the masks.