42/100 - Masked
Early in April a friend pointed out he found the images of people wearing masks that covered their mouths disturbing at a symbolic level because it implied they had to be silent. I wasn't quite convinced then but I've been considering the idea since I don't know how to explain how strange it is to go outside and see everyone wearing a mask (including myself). Today I saw someone wearing a mask with a sports brand on it -weird, but not surprising- and I caught myself admiring how well a mask matched someone's outfit.
Medical masks make me remember it is something deadly we are dealing with, and then there are these flights of fancy that remind me that even this medical object has a share in the deep symbology of human masks. Anonymity is perhaps the next thing that comes to mind with our current masked reality, but masks are also playful, and dark and otherworldly.
I didn't draw a mouth cover because I didn't want to be cartoony in that way, and I like full head-covering masks as objects. There are more of those that are about becoming animals and monsters and magical creatures, and perhaps seeing through their eyes, thinking their thoughts. But the masks on the street are what sent me here.
Masked is 3" by 3.75" and it is more of a celebration of masks than a condemnation, but either way it will become a reminder of these times. Available here(sold).