Anger 10: Ego
Universal Feelings is a collaborative installation by 62 international artists. Tony Fuemmeler created a set of mask forms inspired by the six emotions whose expressions are theorized to be universally understood: Fear, Joy, Surprise, Anger, Sadness, and Disgust. Each of his 62 collaborators received an unpainted paper-mâché mask based on one of the six. Collaborators were then tasked with "completing" this mask, in their own way. The art form, identity, style, experiences, history, aesthetics, nationality, and culture(s) were all explicitly invited to inform how they did so.
Within my contribution to Universal Feelings, titled 'Anger 10: Ego,' I aimed to spark a vital conversation about the mental health challenges that immigrants often face when adapting to a new country. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous complexities and struggles have arisen, profoundly affecting immigrant communities. Through my mask, I sought to symbolize the emotional battles that immigrants frequently navigate, highlighting the pressing need for open discussions and the destigmatization of mental health issues. This work serves as a reminder of the unique struggles and experiences of immigrants, emphasizing the importance of addressing their mental well-being as they seek to build new lives in a foreign land.
Article about installation: https://www.orartswatch.org/tony-fuemmeler-and-the-masks-of-life/