Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 08/99) - The human face is probably one of the most refined instruments of communication we have, often saying things we don't even realize we're saying.

A photograph, unposed, can sometimes capture the personality or soul.

But with her masks, on exhibit at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre until Jan. 18, artist Jacqueline Worrell has accomplished something far more extraordinary and fascinating.

There are a dozen masks of such individual character and personality that it is an overwhelming experience to stand before them. The vibrant and brilliant colours Worrell has chosen are striking yellows, greens, blues, violets and oranges. The decorative detail, set in patterns, defines and elaborates, above and beyond the unique face shapes. Each mask has a woman's name as a title.

"All the women I used were my friends. I'd done some individual paper masks before but I wanted to do a whole series and see what I could come up with," explains Worrell.

The artist, of Dutch and Thah-Gwich'in descent, made hand-made paper casts of each of her friends' faces and then proceeded to add beads, glitter, paint, as well as natural objects: shells, feather, seeds and stones.

When asked how her friends received her interpretation of their intimate selves, Worrell says they were amazed.

"They were surprised at the materials I used. And they said I perceived them the way they think they are. Yes. They were impressed."

So impressed, in fact, that some want to buy their faces.

"If they could afford it, I think they would all by their faces back," says Worrell.

The going price for buying back your own face is $2,000.

As Worrell explains, the process took one year to complete, not to mention the high cost of materials.