Behind the Mask: The Wanderer of the Night

Tri Duong

is an artist, photographer and all-around adventure enthusiast. Originally from Vietnam, Duong moved to the United States on Christmas Eve in 2007. Then, he became interested in photography after meeting a photojournalist that same night.

The Adventure Behind the Mask

As Tri Duong started thinking about his mask, he knew he needed supplies First, he needed China, so he decided to go to local thrift stores in Fort Collins Among them was Funktional, a for-profit store where the employee, Kelsey, was more than happy to help, because Duong had little idea of what he was looking for.

“I never have a set plan for anything like this,” he said. “It’s always spontaneous.”

After thrifting, Duong went to Hobby Lobby to get glue, China cutters, and other supplies. There, he met Luna, who has worked at Hobby Lobby for nine years and said she can always recognize mask artists

“You’re very invested in this mask,” she said as she led him to find a China cutter “So I’m going to show you the best stuff”

With help from Luna, Tri Duong looks for a pair of gloves to use while cutting China (Nov 5, 2022) (Left)

Gloves On Thrifting

Tri Duong looks for China plates in the Funktional Thrift store in Fort Collins, CO (Nov 5, 2022) (Right)

Looking for Glue

Needing help to find the best glue for the mask, Tri Duong speaks to Hobby Lobby employee Luna in Fort Collins, Colorado (Nov 5, 2022) (Bottom)

Pieces Behind the Mask

Lens and Mirrors

For one eye, Duong used a vintage camera lens he thrifted at a local Goodwill The lens represents his passion for photography, and how he sees the world through his camera He also said that he feels like his camera is a mask that he is often behind as an observer The other eye is made of 5 small mirrors (not pictured), which allows the viewer to see their own eye Duong said this connects to the lens because one uses their eyes to see through the camera

Seashells

Duong used seashells from Surfside, Texas to form the top of the mask Duong said that during Fall 2021, when his family moved to Houston, he ended up moving back and forth between Texas and Colorado quite a bit. While in Texas, Duong said the beaches were an escape for him, much like the mountains of Colorado.

China

Duong thrifted the China pieces, which form the bottom and left side of the mask, from thrift stores in Fort Collins The China represents the people that he comes across in his life The China pieces are very different, like people, but each person he meets leaves a piece of themselves with him, and they come together to shape him into the person behind the mask.

The Process Behind the Mask

According to Duong, the mask is inspired by the Egyptian Horned Owl He chose to create an owl because of an Egyptian myth about how the owls “wonder in the night” looking for dead spirits Hence, the name of the mask “Wanderer of the Night.” Duong enjoys roaming during nighttime because he likes to see and photograph that side of people and the environment.

Patience is Key

Raising the mask on a box, Tri Duong focuses on covering the edges of his mask with seashells in Loveland, CO. Duong held pieces onto the mask for minutes at a time to allow the glue to completely dry (Dec. 2, 2022).

Cutting China

Using supplies he bought at Hobby Lobby, Tri Duong cuts a China plate he thrifted into smaller pieces for the mask in his room in Loveland, Colorado Duong described putting the China on the mask as putting puzzle pieces together (Nov 5, 2022)

That's A Lot of Glue!

Tri Duong glues shells and China into place on the mask in Loveland, CO. Duong went through several tubes of glue while making the mask (Dec. 2, 2022.).

The Photographer Behind the Mask

In addition to being a mask artist, Duong is the Photo Editor at The Collegian for Rocky Mountain Student Media Corporation.

Working for the Collegian consumes a huge part of Duong’s life, and his job consists of taking photos, editing photos, giving assignments to photographers and teaching newcomers Duong said the people he has met through the Collegian and the journalism department have made an enormous positive impact on his life, and they’re a big reason why he returned to Fort Collins after being in Texas with his family during Fall 2021

Gather 'Round

Looking at his laptop, Tri Duong checks a spreadsheet to ensure he is editing photos on schedule, and photographers are getting their photos in on time in the Rocky Mountain Student Media newsroom at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO (Nov 1, 2022)

Training Photographers

Tri Duong teaches new photographer River Kinnaird how to upload and import photos into Adobe Lightroom Classic in the Rocky Mountain Student Media newsroom at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO Duong’s duties as CoPhoto Director of the Collegian also include teaching new photographers the post-production process (Nov 1, 2022)

Staying on Track

Looking at his laptop, Tri Duong checks a spreadsheet to ensure he is editing photos on schedule, and photographers are getting their photos in on time in the Rocky Mountain Student Media newsroom at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO (Nov 1, 2022)

Beyond the Mask