Growing up in northern New Jersey, Erik had the opportunity to frequent the many museums of New York City, while also enjoying the outdoor activities offered by his suburban home.  Many of his childhood summers were spent in Cairo where he was exposed to magnificent temples and museums filled with ancient Egyptian art.

Eventually, his passions led him to pursue a degree in Biology from Rutgers University with a minor in Anthropology.  At Rutgers, he also found an outlet for his creativity through courses in Art history, drawing, painting and sculpture.

Erik continues to satisfy his scientific interests as a Research Associate at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York where he studies ligament healing.

As an artist, he creates exotic masks influenced by nature’s designs.  Reflecting inspiration from the striking crests of birds and the patterned scaling of reptiles, to the brightly colored coral reefs.

Working from a studio in Bogota, New Jersey, his masks are created using age-old papier-mâché techniques.  The masks are then hand-painted, or airbrushed and embellished with a variety of fine trims, natural gems and genuine Austrian crystals.  Each mask is then crested with a variety of materials including natural and dyed feathers, hand-made paper wings, or lightweight horns.

Over the years, many galleries have carried Erik’s works, and his clientele includes Cirque du Soleil, and Maskarade in New Orleans.

Erik was selected as one of ten “artists to watch” in (201) Magazine’s 2010 arts issue, and in November 2010, one of his masks was selected as a gift from Cirque du Soleil to the British Royal Family during Prince Charles’s visit to Montreal.

The Masks

Each mask is created using the age-old technique of papier-mâché.  Formed by layering paper and plaster, the result is a lightweight base that conforms to the wearers face.

Raised details are created using a special embossing medium, followed by hand painting and/or airbrushing.  Additional treatment with antiquing media, powdered metals and metal leaf complete the look.  Each mask is then treated with a protective finish, giving the mask a porcelain-like feel.

Following the detail work, each mask is crested with a variety of feathers, which are layered to give a natural, exotic feel.

Other materials that we use include fabrics, trims, decorative handmade papers, delicate wiring, glass beads and metal findings.

The Central focus of each mask is a cluster of natural gems and crystals.  This may include pyrite, quartz, freshwater pearls, sea glass, turquoise, amethyst and amber, accented with Austrian crystals.

The masks are lined on the inside with soft velvet for comfort.  Finally, grosgrain ribbon straps are attached with metal rivets for durability and secure wear.

The final result is a truly unique handmade piece of wearable art, which you are sure to cherish.  When not being worn, the masks are fitted with ribbon loops to facilitate wall display.

Uses:

The versatility of our masks has attracted a broad clientele.  We have provided masks for dancers, stage performers, Mardi Gras Krewes, weddings, masquerade parties, Halloween, Purim, New Year’s parties, Gay Pride, Southern Decadence, Carnivale, Mardi Gras and Fantasy Fest to name a few. We have sold many of our works to mask and art collectors.  Interior designers have also purchased our masks for décor.  Masks can add mystery and intrigue to a room when displayed on a wall, bust, shelf or dresser.  Our masks make truly unique gifts for any occasion, and will be appreciated by anyone with a taste for the extraordinary.

I also have a great interest in anthropology, particularly the concepts of costuming and disguise. Throughout the ages, humans have used their imaginations to expose, transform or hide their identity.  Usually this required the creation of a guise to complete the metamorphosis.  The ancient Egyptians, Native Americans and European monarchs wore headdresses and crowns to convey super-human status. Aboriginal people, Native Americans and tribal peoples of Africa, donned animal skins, headdresses and masks transforming themselves into divine beings, or channeling the spirit of their prey.   During the Italian Renaissance, masks were used to conceal, rather than expose the wearer’s identity allowing the wearer to revel in socially objectionable ways without being identified.

My admiration of classic and contemporary art and my desire to create began early in life.  Some of my influences include Peter Paul Reubens, John James Audubon Hubert-Dupras and Andy Goldsworthy, all artists who convey an appreciation of nature in their work.

The combination of these disciplines fueled my desire to develop a medium through which I could share my visions.  In 2004, I began to incorporate my passions into a line of unique hand made masks and ornaments.

My work has been displayed in several boutiques and galleries including Cirque du Soleil internationally, HPGRP Gallery in NYC, and Maskarade in New Orleans.

Contemporary artist Erik Attia has incorporated his passions and imagination into a unique collection of handmade items.   With Mother Nature as his muse and the allure of the masquerade as his vision, the products on the following pages represent a fantasy world of bizarre creatures. In 2007, Rustin Hill joined Erik’s Inspiration.  In addition to his artistic ability and creativity, Rustin brings with him an extensive visual merchandising background, having created displays for Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s Marshall Field’s, HSN and QVC under the Christopher Radko Trademark.

We carefully handcraft each piece from the finest materials, paying particular attention to detail.  Each of our items represents a meticulous process that results in a unique artwork. With minimal care our products will last a lifetime.

Our goal is to insure that each of our items is unique.  Due to the nature of the materials used in our work, no two pieces will be exactly the same.