A leather mask made in a studio in Kyogle has won a second place ribbon at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Artist Mario Sanchez Huertas placed second in two categories – art picture category and creative design and won two ribbons.

“I’m a big fantasy nerd so I’m usually inspired by fantastical stories and ideas,” Mario said.

“Living in the Northern Rivers, wood spirit masks seem to be a reccurring theme for me. I seem to be inspired by the wonderful forests around us. We are very lucky to have them.”

It took Mario a day to make the mask.

The leather had to dry overnight and after some finishing touches, Mario posted the mask to the show.

He was encouraged to enter the show by the leather community.

“I also thought it would be a good thing to do to encourage my students by example and get them to enter too, which one of them did,” he said. 

“He developed a very cool new wallet design from a single piece of leather as a result. I’m very proud of him for it.”

The Easter show is one of the few leather related competitions around,” he said.

“I wasn’t able to attend the show in Sydney. I posted my entry and it will be posted back if it doesn’t sell during the show,” Mario said.

The mask is for sale for $250.

See more of Mario’s work on Instagram.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 11 April 2023.