The Many Layers of Identity

A journey through disguise and self-expression, where history, queerness, and transformation merge.

The Many Layers of Identity is a visual reflection on the fluidity of identity, the tension between what we reveal and what we conceal, and the role of masks in shaping our perception of ourselves and others. The figure portrayed has no defined gender identity—it is not a specific individual but a universal presence, a mirror in which anyone can see themselves. It is a face suspended between revelation and mystery, between past and present, between construction and deconstruction.

The original painting, salvaged from waste, has been transformed through a layering of materials and techniques. The paper mask applied to the face is a disruptive element: it covers, yet it highlights. Painted with vivid colors and gold details, it recalls the aesthetics of Carnival but goes beyond mere celebration to question the deeper meaning of disguise. The frame itself becomes part of the artwork, enriched with three-dimensional elements: dried leaves, flowers, intertwined branches, and small hidden objects. Each detail adds a layer to the narrative, a fragment of meaning for the audience to interpret.

Identity is never fixed but a continuous process of construction and transformation. The artwork evokes this fluidity—the subject could be anyone, could be everyone. The ambiguity of the face and the material stratification reflect the complexity of human existence, the multiplicity of experiences and perceptions that make us both unique and part of a collective whole.

The full installation expands this concept into space, incorporating elements that reference the Carnival tradition but reinterpret it through a personal and contemporary lens. The three masks, crafted from dried materials derived from the dishes served at the event, add another layer of meaning: the connection between body, food, and identity. The audience will not only engage visually but also interact through QR codes providing digital content on the history of the Gnaga, Venetian traditions, and the recipes linked to the masks.

At a time when non-conforming identities are being challenged and attacked, The Many Layers of Identity stands as an act of resistance and celebration. It is an invitation to look beyond appearances, to recognize the beauty and validity of every expression of self. It is a mask that conceals yet simultaneously reveals—because behind every mask, behind every layer, there is a story that deserves to be heard.