MASQUERADE

TRIS

// Tris (who otherwise goes by his artist name @colourbricks) enjoys photography in the lively streets of London. He is drawn to the colours, vibrancy and the stories of life, especially of the stoics, the optimists and the non-conformists. He shared with us a series on Cosplay, a special kind of performing art.

“Like a moth to the flame of colours, vibrancy and life in London!”

Tris

What draws you to the arts?

“My best friend is a creative arts teacher and he inspired me to look at the world through a different lens – physically and metaphorically. Nick’s passion for sculpture, photography, contemporary art, pottery and design is incredible. I had never been exposed to art, and he was always so enthusiastic in encouraging creative originality. After visits to the Guggenheim, Balenciaga museum and numerous galleries across Europe, he showed me that there was more colour, creativity and soul to life than I had experienced to that point. Everyone needs a Nick in their lives! His pupils are so genuinely fortunate.”

What impressed you most about the Cosplayers?

“The freedom and liberty to explore and push the boundaries of our understanding of the world around us. I thought – initially at least – that their passion for characters and stories was strange – but then I met them. They are no less devoted than a lover of ballet or fine art. They throw inhibition to the wind and immerse themselves in magical fantasy stories of good and evil, light and dark, friends and enemies. I so admired Cosplayers courage to break with conformity and use the comic art form to tell stories through a different medium. Such vibrant characters, beautiful clothes and passionate creative people. How I long for COVID-19 to pass to witness the next creative outpourings from those at Comic Con.”

Tris visited the Comic Con in London in 2019. Celebrating the creative work of artists who publish cartoons, comics and even feature length movies – Comic Con is a non-profit multi-genre entertainment and comic book convention. The first was held in San Diego in 1970 and has now grown to become a celebration of comic art worldwide. Fans flock from all corners of those countries that organise these events, dressing as their favourite characters, celebrating the art form and meeting the artists, creative directors and actors who play those roles. Cosplay, costumed role-playing in venues other than the theatre stage, is considered a performance art and a specialised form of masquerade.

Sadly, with COVID-19 these events have been cancelled globally throughout 2020, inevitably disappointing both the creative geniuses behind the characters and their multitude of assorted fans. tris contributes a selection of his photos from the Comi Con at the East London ExCel Centre in May 2019. As a result of the pandemic, that centre has now been turned into an emergency ‘Nightingale’ Hospital.

Click on the photos to see the full image.