Mask Item Number: 2669/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Mask of Noonkkoomjjeogi (the winker) character. Red oval shaped face with yellow dots, yellow and green eyebrows, red bulbous nose and cheek bones, and bright red lips. Eyes are white and outlined with black dots. Circular cut-out eyes have shades behind the mask to create a blinking motion. Black cloth covering and ties are attached to the back of the mask and hang down. Mask backing is yellow and has a white label with printed red characters to one side.

Narrative

This set of masks were made in Canada after Mr. Han immigrated, but his family brought him the traditional materials to make the masks from Korea.

Specific Techniques

First the gourd masks were carved, then three layers of paper mache were applied, then they were painted.

Iconographic Meaning

Noonkkoomjjeogi is one of the characters who represent people from an aristocratic background who cannot apply for the national examination because of their scarred faces.