Behind the Mask: Exploring Identity Through Art This Halloween

Halloween is often a time when we think about costumes and disguises, about who or what we might become for a night. But what if we used that same idea of masks in a deeper, more meaningful way? That’s exactly what Behind the Mask, my upcoming art therapy workshop, aims to explore.

At its heart, Behind the Mask is about identity; the parts of ourselves we show to the world and the parts we keep hidden. It’s about asking: What’s behind the mask you wear every day? What do you show outwardly? How does it feel to show it, and how does it shape the way you live?

What Makes Up an Identity?

Identity isn’t a simple or static thing. It’s made up of so many layers: our biology, our experiences, our relationships, and the environments that have shaped us. It includes our personality traits, our passions, our desires, and our dislikes. Even something as simple as our name carries personal and cultural meaning that forms part of who we are.

Our identity evolves throughout our lives. Who we are at twenty may feel very different from who we are at forty. We grow, adapt, and change in response to new experiences. Sometimes we feel certain of who we are; other times, we feel unsure or disconnected. Art can be a powerful way to explore these shifts and make sense of the many parts that make up the self.

The Masks We Wear

Everyone wears a mask of some kind. Not necessarily a physical one, but a social or emotional one. Sometimes it’s confidence in a professional setting, even when we feel uncertain inside. Sometimes it’s composure when we’re struggling. These masks help us navigate the world, but they can also distance us from our true selves if we wear them too tightly or for too long.

Exploring what lies behind that mask can be both revealing and freeing. Through creative expression, we can begin to uncover what’s hidden, what’s been protected, and what’s waiting to emerge.

Archetypes and the Hidden Self

The idea of masks connects beautifully with the work of the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, who explored how universal symbols and patterns — which he called archetypes — shape human experience. Jung believed that the mind had two layers: the personal unconscious, which holds our individual memories and experiences, and the collective unconscious, which stores universal themes passed down through generations.

These archetypes appear everywhere, in myths, dreams, stories, and, of course, art. For example, take the story of Cinderella:

• The Innocent (Cinderella herself)

• The Shadow (her stepmother and stepsisters)

• The Persona (her disguise at the ball)

• The Caregiver (the fairy godmother)

These characters represent universal roles and experiences. Jung himself used art to explore these inner themes, documenting his own imagery and reflections in The Red Book, a vivid record of his personal and psychological exploration.

When we create art, similar themes can surface unconsciously. Recognising them helps us better understand ourselves and the forces that shape how we see the world, and how we show ourselves to it.

Exploring Identity Through Art

In Behind the Mask, we’ll be using art as a way to reflect on and explore identity. The exercises I’ve designed allow participants to express different aspects of themselves through creative methods such as mask-making, drawing, and writing. Art offers a safe space to experiment, to look inward, express freely, and discover new insights.

Some prompts I considered when making these exercises include:

• How many masks do I wear and change between?

• What do I protect myself from? Do I have a mask that shields me in the world, perhaps through humour, confidence, or emotional distance.

• Do my masks help me or hold me back? What might it feel like to set it down, even briefly?

These simple yet powerful reflections can open up space for genuine self-discovery.

The Ever-Evolving Self

Do we ever fully know who we are? Or is identity something that’s always changing? When we reflect on our past selves, the person we were ten years ago, or even as a child, we can often see how much has shifted. Exploring identity through art helps us stay connected to that ongoing process of change, with curiosity rather than judgement.

Join Me Behind the Mask

Behind the Mask is not just a workshop, it’s an opportunity to explore your inner world in a creative, supportive environment. It’s a chance to look beyond the face you show the world and connect with what lies beneath.

If you’re curious about self-discovery, creativity, and connection, join me on October 18^th for Behind the Mask in The Acre Project, Celbridge — a therapeutic art workshop designed to explore identity in a meaningful, engaging way.