When I ask someone “What do you see when you think of a troll?” their description is rarely like mine. I grew up reading the books by Rolf Lidberg, where trolls are friendly forest beings which value community and live wholesomely. That is what trolls are to me: family.

Trolls are not quite human: they’re bigger in size, with large facial features, unruly hair, and tufted tails. I wanted my mask to look like an authentic Norwegian troll, one that wasn’t scary but had more of a ‘tired-but-kind’ look to them. This mask was inspired by my childhood in Norway and adoration for troll lore. It is dedicated to my family, who keep the little troll in me alive.