Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, "face stealers" expresses the external forces that shape one's persona, often at the cost of genuine selfhood.
"Face stealers" is a drawing that presents a striking and somewhat surreal scene. The composition is structured around the interaction between the two figures and the central object they are examining. The use of color and form is expressive and abstract, with the figures and the background blending to create a sense of unity. The background mixes colors and shapes to suggest the scene takes place inside a wooded area. The background uses a bold and expressive mix of blues, greens, and browns in various textures, creating depth and atmosphere. The two male figures, the face stealers, seem both very much a part of the setting, and yet, somewhat ephemeral and intangible.
They are depicted stylized, with both exaggerated features and a lack of detail—especially in their own faces—that gives them a somewhat otherworldly appearance. The central object they hold, a blue-green mask, is thematically and compositionally the focal point of the work.
Skyler's placement of the mask in the center of the composition draws the viewer's eye and creates a sense of balance between the two figures and the object they hold, forming a series of triangles. Ironically, the mask is the most disturbing element of the work, both anchoring and unanchoring our witness of the theft. Further, the mask is graphically the most realistically portrayed, while its presence is the most macabre detail.
The stealing and perhaps exchange of a face with another suggests a loss of authenticity and the burden of conforming to imposed roles. As a result, Skyler effectively critiques the pervasive influence of societal expectations, urging viewers to reflect on the balance between conformity and self-identity.
