The Artist Behind the Mask:
The Wanderer of the Night
A photo essay documenting Tri Duong as he creates his mask for the 2023 Mask Exhibition and Auction at the Museum of Art Fort Collins.
View the Exhibit as it was printed here.
Tri Duong is an artist, photographer, and all-around adventure enthusiast. Originally from Vietnam, Duong moved to the United States on Christmas Eve in 2007. Then, he became interested in photography after meeting a photojournalist that same night.
The Adventure Behind the Mask
As Duong started thinking about his mask, he knew he needed supplies. First, he needed China, so he decided to go to local thrift stores in Fort Collins. Among them was Funktional, a for-profit store where the employee, Kelsey, was more than happy to help, because Duong had little idea of what he was looking for.
“I never have a set plan for anything like this,” he said. “It’s always spontaneous.”
After thrifting, Duong went to Hobby Lobby to get glue, China cutters, and other supplies. There, he met Luna, who has worked at Hobby Lobby for nine years and said she can always recognize mask artists.
“You’re very invested in this mask,” she said as she led him to find a China cutter. “So I’m going to show you the best stuff.”
Duong receives help finding glue from Luna, an employee at Hobby Lobby in Fort Collins, CO on Nov. 5, 2022.
Duong receives help finding glue from Luna, an employee at Hobby Lobby in Fort Collins, CO on Nov. 5, 2022.
Duong purchases china plates at Funktional, a thrift store in Fort Collins, CO on Nov. 5, 2022.
Duong struggles to decide which china plates to get for his mask at Funktional, a thrift store in Fort Collins, CO, on Nov. 5, 2022.
The Pieces Behind the Mask
Lenses and Mirrors
For one eye, Duong used a vintage camera lens that he thrifted at a local Goodwill. The lens represents his passion for photography, and how he sees the world through his camera. He also said that he feels like his camera is a mask that he is often behind as an observer. The other eye is made of 5 small mirrors (not pictured), which allows the viewer to see their own eye. Duong said this connects to the lens because one uses their eyes to see through the camera.
Seashells
Duong used seashells from Surfside, Texas, to form the top of the mask. He said that during Fall 2021, when his family moved to Houston, he moved back and forth between Texas and Colorado quite a bit. While in Texas, Duong said the beaches were an escape for him, much like the mountains of Colorado.
China
Duong thrifted the China pieces, which form the bottom and left side of the mask, from thrift stores in Fort Collins. The China represents the people he encounters in his life. The China pieces are very different, like people, but each person he meets leaves a piece of themselves with him, and they come together to shape him into the person behind the mask.
The Inspiration Behind the Mask
According to Duong, the mask is inspired by the Egyptian Horned Owl. He chose to create an owl because of an Egyptian myth about how the owls “wander in the night” looking for dead spirits. Hence, the name of the mask “Wanderer of the Night.” Duong enjoys roaming during nighttime because he likes to see and photograph that side of people and the environment.
Duong started by cutting the china plates into smaller pieces. Then, the mask-building process was intricate and slow as Duong carefully glued pieces onto the mask, sort of like doing a puzzle, and then held the pieces in place until the glue dried. Later, he glued an old camera lense and mirror pieces onto the mask as eyes.
The Photographer Behind the Mask
In addition to being a mask artist, Duong is the Photo Editor at The Collegian for Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation.
Working for the Collegian consumes a huge part of Duong’s life, and his job consists of taking photos, editing photos, giving assignments to photographers and teaching newcomers.
Duong said the people he has met through the Collegian and the journalism department have made an enormous positive impact on his life, and they’re a big reason why he returned to Fort Collins after being in Texas with his family during Fall 2021.
Where is Duong now?
Duong graduated from Colorado State University in May 2023. He spends his time traveling the country and taking photos. Check out his portfolio at https://www.triphotojournal.com/
