Laura Farn, Mask Maker

ARIGATO, TOKYO - I'm Noh Lady! (The Banff Centre)

Laura Farn is a mask maker who favours a Mixed Media or Clay & Cast approach. Laura is inspired by personal stories, portraiture and world masks - as well as her avid interest in the science of facial expression and masks as a technology for communication.

Current mask designs in progress include 'Forever Young Mother' and 'Gentle Old Bird' (celebrating transformation). Her in-depth exploration of mask making and the history of the face in art offer Laura endless opportunity to experiment and learn. And she just loves an interesting face.

An accomplished fabricator, Laura has a background in large-scale sculpting and props. Skills include carving, mold making, upholstery, scenic painting and leatherwork. She has enjoyed many projects with artists she admires for companies such as Fin Enterprises (Tracy Lynch), Intrepid Theatre (Erin Macklem), Royal Winnipeg Ballet and more. Favourite gigs include: Kilt and The Importance of Being Earnest (PTE), This is For You, Anna and Dark of the Moon (UVic), Dying to be Thin (MTYP), Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach), Donald's Ship Builders (Disney Tokyo, F&D) and Shanghai Noon (East/West Films, F&D).

Laura Farn received a 2007 Jessie nomination for 'Significant Artistic Achievement: Outstanding Mask Making' (Peer Gynt, Blackbird Theatre), and recently stood in for her mentor Bryn Finer as Faculty Head of Props at The Banff Centre for two years. She will soon begin a new mask designed by Amanda Larder, inspired by the Winchester Psalter.