Title: 'Poena 1'
Artist: Gareth Buxton
Year: 2007
Media: Found objects and acrylic paint on canvas
Artists' Statement:
"Poena (also Poine) is the goddess of punishment and the attendant of punishment to Nemesis. To me the mask represents the stifling of self expression, the urge to keep quiet, to maintain the status quo, to keep ones thoughts, feelings, desires and needs censored. Beneath the mask, the doubts, uncertainties, regrets and lack of self confidence festers. The self turning on its self. Turning to artificial substances to bear the discomfort.
There is some hope- developing self esteem can go a long way to help remove the mask either on a temporary or more permanent basis."
G. Buxton