Artist's Row offers 'Unique' masks

"Uniqueness of Spirit: Disguises to Hide Behind"\nThere's nothing like variety -- an axiom that is heartily observed by sculptor David Shipley. Shipley is the sculptor behind the diverse "Uniqueness of Spirit: Disguises to Hide Behind" exhibit that is currently on display at the Artist's Row Gallery. The exhibit ranges from original masks made from a variety of media to busts and partial body sculptures to more abstract sculptures -- every one an adventure in beautiful contemporary art. \n"Uniqueness of Spirit" is Shipley's first exhibit, and it has been more than 30 years in the making. Shipley said his primary interest is with masks, which he has studied extensively. He creates these masks from assorted media, including marble, limestone, various types of wood, an oil-based clay and forton, a durable plaster product that can sustain outdoor weather. \nOne of Shipley's primary goals in creating the masks is to see how many designs he can come up with from one mold. He often casts several masks from the same mold simply to see what will happen if he plays with them over time. He said children more often notice that one mask shape is the same as another, even if the paint and decoration is different. Adults, on the other hand, seem oblivious to the fact, caught up in the details on the faces. This playfulness is evident at the exhibit, where there are a plethora of masks, ranging from the simple to the ornate. \nShipley did not paint all of the masks himself. Cheryl Duckworth, a long time artist and friend of Shipley, did several, as did Rose Offut Duca, whom Shipley met through Duckworth. When asked about the process of the collaboration, Shipley said he simply wanted them to have fun. He said he really enjoys seeing them utilize their own creative genius, especially when the result is completely different from anything he would have come up with by himself. The result is staggering. The six or seven masks painted by Duckworth and Duca are stunning and imaginative. A few are somewhat reminiscent of Mexican artifacts, while others are unlike anything I've seen before. \nThe exhibit contains more than masks. There are also several abstract sculptures, which are done with a great deal of sophistication and subtlety, as well as some fairly direct sculptures of people and faces. There is also a selection of hand-carved wooden canes displayed underneath the unusual addition of a "please touch" sign. \nScattered among the rest of the artwork is a limestone fountain, a tomahawk and a miniature angel. The items are on sale, and prices range from $50 for a sun painted onto the top of a gourd to $5,000 for a limestone sculpture of a woman titled "abundance." \nThe art is varied, unique and delightful to observe. I would suggest anyone interested in sculpture take a trip to the Artist's Row Gallery and take a peek at this exhibit.