The Psychologist stays with the questions rather than the answers. They move through moments people usually pass by; hesitation, curiosity, defensiveness. The face becomes a surface for projection, and the mirror simply returns the gaze. What people see is never just the character, but something of themselves.
This character exists in the space between observer and observed. For me, it’s about realizing that understanding others often starts with noticing what we bring into the room ourselves.
Process:
The Psychologist was built around a large-scale painted face, drawn with charcoal and pencils on raw material. I burned the edges by hand to break the clean outline and give the surface a worn, uneven finish, as if it had already been through something before becoming a costume.
The mask is a circular mirror, used as both a physical and conceptual element. It reflects the viewer back into the piece, turning observation into participation and making the audience part of the character’s presence.
Photography, costume, masks, props & creative direction: Salo Shayo
Photography production assistant: Andy Voloschin