Mask no.4 (Apache)

R.C. Gorman

A rare early work by R.C. Gorman, this is the fourth in a series of six masks that he did in 1975, before he moved on to the figurative images that he became known for. "Mask No. 4" was printed in San Francisco by Windmill Press Master Printer John Gruenwald, who Gorman cited as a supportive and inspirational collaborator who encouraged him to create the series.

Gorman's image comes from the Apache Mountain Spirits Legend: Representatives of the Mountain People, called Crown Dancers, appear among the Apache tribespeople people in masked form. Apaches tell many stories of the Mountain Spirits, usually attesting to their power to cure and protect, or to the ill consequences of showing disrespect toward the Spirits.

This print was done in a small editon of 15, plus 3 various proofs.