The Mask Backstory

This is one of the three magnificent masks created for "The Walk" by theatre artist extraordinaire Patricia Simms. The masks are worn by actors portraying the stories of trafficked women. So how did Pat come up with the haunting designs, each one so expressive and unique? She drew her inspiration from photos in The Ottawa Citizen about a moth exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature. That's right--moths! In fact, she overlaid the newspaper photos directly onto her papier maché creations. Genius!