CHEPSO considered masks the “heads of sports spirits” with direct access to the psychological realm where games were won and lost. Supernatural beings were believed to control most athletic activity, and individual, team, and community prosperity were all dependent on the honoring of appropriate spirits, embodied by masks. These masks were deeply meaningful in rituals where CHEPSO’s leveraged their ability to tap into hidden psychological expressions and encourage change and shapeshifting.

While the masks on their own are appreciated for their sculptural quality, CHEPSO’s typically used them with full ceremonial vestments of similar materials. This collection of ritual masks featured in this exhibition were selected for their profound cultural significance and their ability to highlight CHEPSO Starling’s spiritual dimensions across many sports. Each mask encapsulates the rise of these new traditions and beliefs, offering a window into the diverse and intricate tapestry of sports culture across different civilizations.