The Foster Gallery hosted its first exhibit of the year, “Masking All the Right Questions” by artist Kamar Thomas. Born and raised in Jamaica, Thomas, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut, finds his artistic expression in colorful, large-scale oil paintings and drawings.
The majority of Thomas’s work is inspired by the single theme of “masks,” a concept he became interested in when he first moved to the U.S. to attend college and grew increasingly aware of the many identities embodied within a single person. Each of his portraits tells a story, conveying a definition of identity that relates to the choices a person makes and their contribution to the world rather than their appearance.
“We were so excited that Kamar was able to meet with and share about his work and process with over 150 students during his visit with us,” shared visual arts faculty member and Foster Gallery director Curtis Mann. “In sharing his work, Kamar raised important conversations about how our identities are fluid and ever-changing, emphasizing that we should be attentive and aware of why and when we wear different masks, in order to understand ourselves and those around us with a more patient, empathetic, and open mindset. The paintings bring a sense of joy, power, and control over that process, and I can’t think of an age where it is more important to feel like you have control and autonomy over those choices than as a student in middle or high school.”
To learn more about Thomas’s work and upcoming shows at Foster Gallery, please visit the Foster Gallery website.
