"This new series of paintings refer to a conversation I was having with myself in the early process of preparing the canvases. The conversation mostly consisted of one part of my brain telling the other, more insecure side of my brain to stay positive and avoid mental traps that can lead to negative emotions. At the time I was listening to a lot of new music and ended up using some of the song lyrics as affirmations that made me feel good, or powerful, or just relaxed during the process of creation. The intention at the start of the series was to continue my ongoing inquiry into the usage of masks in modern society. The idea of masks and the search for "the individual identity" has always been a part of my work. Masks in all forms, whether presenting a social facade, an alternate dress sense, or an altered mental state that disguises the true personality of the individual. The masks in this series were not metaphorical; they are actual balaclava masks that are typically worn by informal recyclers, hijackers, and homeless people in Johannesburg. The balaclava masks appear in the form of textual positive affirmations. These masks give power and anonymity, providing a sense of security and empowerment to the wearer. Do the masks make me more dangerous or more likely to do something I would not normally do? Am I the one wearing the mask?" - Seth Pimental, 2020
