This painting was made just after the first time the city of Adelaide emerged from Lockdown during the Coronavirus outbreak of 2020. People tentatively began to reconnect including the Cosplay community although with some restrictions imposed, including the wearing of masks. Cosplay or costume play is a unique subculture where young people dress up as characters from popular culture, movies, comics, video games, books or even something of their own concoction. It enjoys a unique space with utter freedom of expression to explore many of the themes related to one's own identity without judgement or censure.
In this instance we see the Cosplayer identified by their Instagram nom de plume 'fallen_soldier09' dressed as the character Nezuko from the Japanese animation Demon Slayer. There is a duality here for the character of Nezuko is infected by a demonic curse and she wears her own mask to protect others as she and her brother go travelling in search of a cure. The parallels cannot be ignored.
During 2020 and 2021 the world has come to terms with the wearing of masks that obscure the face, however cosplay has provided the opportunity for these artists to demonstrate their unique self expression and identity. Yet Lockdowns across Australia and the world have left many young people feeling isolated where normally they would gather to share their often theatrical costumes and take pictures. So there is an ennui here in this painting that looks for the return of conventions and travel and reconnecting with a broader community in much the same way as the chosen character looks to return to humanity.
This high fidelity painting is presented in oils on a specially prepared polyester/canvas blend. The surface has been gessoed and sanded multiple times by the artist to render a smooth regular surface before being painted in his trademark hand. It has been finished with a broad dark timber frame and a natural oak slip to accent and compliment the work. It is strung with a wire and ready to hang.
