Avoid at All Cost , mixed media
This theory presents itself in Tobar ’ s 2013 series Unmasked , which features superheroes like Wolverine , Batman , and The Flash with their faces hidden by these gas masks . Each superhero holds onto the rim of his mask , poised to remove it , but not giving in to the urge . However , Tobar says that the series “ isn ’ t supposed to be a super-metaphor ” since all superheroes try to keep their identity a secret . His light hearted persona makes its way through other collections like The Urban Jungle , which features a young boy ’ s imagination taking physical form in the shape of animals , all of which are wearing Tobar ’ s gas masks .
In Big Bear and the Bird — Wearing Gas Mask , a bear holds a bird in its paw . This concept follows the original idea of the mask in that it hides the true nature of the bear , a creature that may peacefully coexist with , rather than harm , a small bird . This misrepresentation of its identity associates it with a persona that individuals try live under in lieu of living authentically . “ Everyone ’ s portraying something that they ’ re not ,” Tobar posits about both himself and others . However , as people learn to feel comfortable with themselves in time , they eventually remove the mask .
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In 2008 , Tobar became part of a collective group of creatives called The B-Side Artists . Each weekend , the group sets up their pieces to sell in Downtown Orlando . Sometimes they don ’ t sell anything , but that fact never becomes a factor in stopping or slowing their momentum . Their presence grows bigger as more and more join over the years . Tobar refl ects on this collective ritual with a bit of nostalgia , saying , “ We don ’ t get together as much as we used to . Everyone started doing their own thing .” The group now shows once a year at the City Arts Factory .
Although the experience of presenting one ’ s work in a gallery differs from that on the street , both allow Tobar to use his voice in new and interesting ways . In 2013 , he set up a month-long show titled My Dexterous Shadow , which allowed people the chance to learn more about the ubiquitous gas mask . Each person followed a map through the local districts to fi nd hidden pieces of art . The project stretched geographically from Winter Park , to College Park , to Ivanhoe Village , and Colonialtown . In this collection , pieces like Lost at Sea showcase Tobar ’ s sense of vivid commotion , as a masked woman sits in front of a colorful cloud of pink , blue , and yellow .
Tobar continues this kind of urban exposure in an event called “ Octobar ” that takes place each October ; he sets up a scavenger hunt for people to follow throughout the city . These events always showcase newer pieces that Tobar creates , but one thing remains the same . In each collection , one will fi nd the use of female models . Pieces in Tobar ’ s latest collection , Native , feature women dressed up as warriors . They show off their emotions in the form of stances , swords and tribal tattoos . The triangles represent either a closed-minded person ( if it
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