"And I Cried…" is part of the Relics Of Our Time series. The intense opinions and political biases that surrounded the face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic amazes me.  This health crisis has elicited tremendous amounts of discontent, angst and misinformation. I view the mask as a tool to portray the current situation for the present and for the future.   The melancholy and despair that I have felt during this time inspired me to create this piece for the loss of loved ones and the heartache of not being able to connect with family and friends.  

And I Cried...

"Repel" is part of the Relics of our Time series. The series consists of various face masks that try to comprehend the pandemic. I see the mask not only as an object that is in the present but also as something that we will look back on and probably view very differently in time. 
As we grapple with a more contagious variant, we require a different mindset with continued use of efficient face masks to keep the virus and it’s variants at bay. For this mask, I drew inspiration from the barrel cactus which keeps people at bay with its spine and needles. The fatigue of dealing with the pandemic is symbolized in the 3 spines that are inside the mask.   

Repel

"Freedom is part of the Relics of our Time series. The series consists of various face masks that try to comprehend the pandemic. I see the mask not only as an object that is in the present but also as something that we will look back on and probably view very differently in time. 
As an expat in Singapore, travel restrictions and the associated inconveniences and uncertainties had been severe for many months. This had meant that my family and I had not been able to travel to see and be with family for celebrations as well as mourning since the pandemic started. I felt like a bird in a gilded cage which alludes to the relative safety and comfort possible in my country of residence in exchange for the lack of freedoms. It was a compromise I had willingly made. I felt luckier than a large swathe of humanity, but this golden cage had been tarnished by a series of  disappointments that built upon each other over a period of time.

Freedom

"Don't Touch Your Face" is part of the Relics Of Our Time series. The series consists of various face masks that try to comprehend the pandemic. I see the mask not only as an object that is in the present but also as something that we will look back on and probably view very differently in time.
As the pandemic took hold and spread across the world, one of the first public health advice was to not touch ones face in case we transmitted germs from surface areas to our nostrils via our fingertips. Heightened awareness to not touch my face made me aware of the impulsive and constant desire to constantly touch my face. The mask is a good deterrent from touching my face. The transparent hands reflect the sub-conscious act which can simply be fixed by wearing a mask. 

Don't Touch Your Face

"Breathe Deep" is a part of the Relics of our Time series. The series consists of various face masks that try to comprehend the pandemic. I see the mask not only as an object that is in the present but also as something that we will look back on and probably view very differently in time.
Victims of the CoVid19 virus experience an onslaught on their lungs that compromises an entire range of body functions. Our lungs are a wonder of biology for the complex tasks they perform and yet they are vulnerable to the most mundane infections. While a lot of us complain and dislike the discomfort and the symbolism of wearing a mask, it would help to remember that a properly worn and used mask is a tool that allows us to breathe freely without the worry of being infected from casual exposure.



Breathe Deep

“Protect” is a part of the Relics Of Our Time series. The series consists of various face masks that try to comprehend the pandemic. I see the mask not only as an object that is in the present but also as something that we will look back on and probably view very differently in time. 
The white anemone flowers on this face mask have several different meanings. In some cultures they signify early death while in others they are considered protection against disease and illness. The range of symbolism for these flowers makes them an appropriate representation of the insecurity of life and death.  

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Mahine Rattonsey

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