This acrylic painting from The Masks Series portrays a Northwest Grassfields masquerade in motion, carrying the weight and authority of an elephant‑head mask—one of the most iconic symbols of power among the peoples of Cameroon’s Grassfields. The performer’s exaggerated facial features, bold red‑and‑white eyes, and wide, toothy expression echo the dramatic intensity of these ceremonial dances, where movement, rhythm, and costume merge to channel ancestral presence.
The figure’s garment, patterned in blue and white, recalls the structured geometry of Grassfield regalia, while the multicolored motif beneath it hints at the layered textiles worn during high‑status performances. In the dancer’s hand, a dark ceremonial baton reinforces the ritual context: an object used to command space, maintain rhythm, and signal transitions within the masquerade.
Set against a maroon background marked with orange geometric motifs, the painting evokes the architectural textures of Grassfield compounds and palace courtyards—the traditional stage for such performances. Elephant‑mask masquerades, often associated with royal societies and lineage groups, embody strength, protection, and continuity. Their heavy, sculptural forms demand physical endurance, making each dance an act of devotion and communal pride.
In “Grassfield Mask II,” the performer becomes both human and emblem, carrying the cultural weight of tradition while animating it through movement. The work celebrates the vitality of Northwest Grassfield masquerade, revealing how mask, body, and rhythm converge to preserve identity, memory, and spiritual authority.
