Introduction to the Green Man

The focus of this Major Project is to explore the folklore behind the Green Man (figure 1), and is inspired by a fascination with mythical tales and legends surrounding magic and nature. The project will research the different cultural aspects to the Green Man and question whether the Green Man was a real historical figure or a mythical one. Many people do not know who the Green Man is and what he represents, but one interpretation is that the figure was “intended as a symbol of growth and rebirth, the eternal seasonal cycle of the coming of spring and the life of Man” (Winters 2015). The project will showcase four different looks to visualise the many different theories of what the Green Man represents by using prosthetics, wigs, body art and postiche. The research will explore a range of key questions: was the Green Man real? Where did he originate from? Why are there different forms of him? The aim is to complete interviews with different people who believe in the Green Man and have studied the folklore, to help the makeup artist get inspiration for the four different looks. This project is going to show a character-based image and editorial look, a look using wig frames and flat moulds, as well as a body art look. This is to expand upon existing skills and explore new and different techniques. I will reach out to industry experts and prosthetics artists within the makeup sector to gather information that will help with executing the major project, so that I can blend up to date industry knowledge with my historical research.

References

Thegypsy, (2019) [Online image]. Available from: https://www.thegypsythread.org/mabon-2019-honoring-the-green-man/ [Accessed 16 November]

Thegypsy, (2019) [Online image]. Available from: https://www.thegypsythread.org/mabon-2019-honoring-the-green-man/ [Accessed 16 November]

Figures

Figure: Reference image of the Green man