Actor Edmond Kok Crafts Masks Inspired by COVID-19 Pandemic & Hong Kong’s Political Problems

AP

In one of Edmond Kok’s creations, a 3D visualization of a spiky coronavirus burst out of a face mask. Another mask uses a plastic takeout container to remind people of the environmental cost of food deliveries.

A design inspired by a Thai temple symbolizes people missing their favourite holiday destinations because of travel restrictions. A Hong Kong actor and costume designer, Kok has had little theatre work during the pandemic but found a creative opportunity in the now-ubiquitous face mask. He has crafted more than 170 masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems. They’re not worn as illness prevention but as pieces of art.

More: Instagram

AP

“I think every piece of art is originated from our daily lives. A lot of things in my life have inspired me to make these face masks. Take the coronavirus as an example, I’ve seen a lot of pictures of this virus and it has a lot of spikes. It happened that I had some materials from my cuttings which looked similar and so I created this face mask,” says Kok.

AP

“I really want to document different things that happened in our lives,” he said.

After the pandemic ends, Kok hopes he and others will revisit their experiences through his masks.

AP

AP

AP

AP

AP

AP

AP

AP

AP