With the World Health Organisation, the British government and even the street artist Banksy now recommending that people wear face coverings in public, masks have quickly become an essential everyday item. Their increased use brings new creative opportunities, as people look for face masks that offer both comfort and style. Here we list some of the artists and designers who have taken on the task, from those raising money for charity to those simply looking to bring life to an otherwise bleak accessory.
The Israeli designer Ron Arad's cotton masks depict the faces of famous artists including Picasso, Matisse and Dalí. Money raised by the masks is going to the Smile for our Carers campaign, which aims to support healthcare workers in hospitals and care homes. Celebrities such as Stephen Fry (pictured) and Natasha Kaplinsky have been shot in the masks to support the campaign. From £9, www.amazon.com Photo: Courtesy of Ron Arad
The online platform Society6 now has a face mask option so buyers can choose a range of styles from the more than 300,000 independent artists they represent. A portion of all proceeds goes directly to World Central Kitchen. $16.99 each, www.society6.com/masks Photo: Courtesy of Society6
Artist Michele Pred has enlisted the help of a Canadian company to produce her "Art of Equal Pay" design, with a limited edition of 200 signed masks. The design is part of a year-long initiative by the Swedish-American artist to combat the gender pay gap in the visual arts. Ten percent of profits are going towards Covid-19 relief efforts. $32 each, www.theartofequalpay.com Photo courtesy of Michele Pred
In an attempt to combat difficulties with phones' facial recognition functions while wearing masks, the designer Danielle Baskin has created Maskalike: a company that prints a face of your choosing onto a mask. There is currently a waiting list for their upcoming launch: www.maskalike.com © Maskalike
“[The mask] has become a fashion tool that you can play with," says the Chicago-based artist Isabelle Gougenheim. Using mainly street art designs, her face masks are paired with matching scarfs. $25, www.isabellegougenheimdesigns.com Photo courtesy of Isabelle Gougenheim Designs
The auction house Phillips has announced a limited-edition of face masks from the artists Summer Wheat, Bel Fullana and the Haas Brothers, in a run of 500 each. A portion of the proceeds will go towards a nonprofit of the artists’ choice. Pack of three $75, www.phillips.com/detail/EX010620/113 Image courtesy of Phillips
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Designgallery
Art can save us: six of the best creative face masks you can buy now
From photo faces to protest pieces, designers and artists have responded to a new demand for PPE
17 July 2020
Michele Pred's equal pay mask. Photo courtesy of the artist Michele Pred's equal pay mask. Photo courtesy of the artist
