Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
A protester wears a face shield made of recycled plastic bottles by artist Leeroy New during an anti-terror bill rally in Metro Manila, Philippines
A protester wears a face shield made of recycled plastic bottles by artist Leeroy New during an anti-terror bill rally in Metro Manila, Philippines Copyright  Aaron Favila/AP Photo
Copyright Aaron Favila/AP Photo
Copyright Aaron Favila/AP Photo

In pictures: how COVID-19 face masks are becoming canvases for self-expression

By Natalia Liubchenkova
Published on Updated
Share this article
Share this article Close Button

While face masks have been mandatory in some parts of the world to combat the spread of coronavirus, people are using them to be creative as well as keep safe.

As the saying goes, the show must go on. As the spread of coronavirus slows and the world settles into a "new normal," the wearing of masks in most countries is recommended or has become mandatory in certain instances, for example on public transport.

For some, it is a bare necessity for venturing outside of the home safely. For others, however, masks have become a canvas for self-expression, with people transforming them into works of art or fashion accessories. Others are using them to make a statement, be it a political message or a showing of support for a cause - or just to raise a smile.

Browse through our selection of photographs below showing how masks are being used creatively around the globe.

NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP
A woman poses with a protective facemask reading "I can't breathe" during a demonstration against racism and police brutality in Bordeaux, France NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP
Karin Hildebrand, a doctor in an intensive care unit in Stockholm's Sodersjukhuset hospital, wears a protective face mask during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP

Aaron Favila/AP Photo
A protester wears a face shield made of recycled plastic bottles by artist Leeroy New during an anti-terror bill rally in Metro Manila, the Philippines Aaron Favila/AP Photo

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP
A pedestrian wearing a form of personal protective equipment as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, walks across Oxford Street in London, the UK JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP
A waiter wears a protective face mask with a picture of her face, in Lodge restaurant. Brussels, Belgium KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP

BRUNO FAHY/AFP
A woman wears a mouth masks with a transparent window for deaf people who do lipreading. Brussels, Belgium BRUNO FAHY/AFP

JUAN BARRETO/AFP
A municipal worker wears a face mask and shield at the Bosa neighbourhood, one of the areas with the high rate of COVID-19 cases in Bogota, Bolivia JUAN BARRETO/AFP

Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo
A photographer wears an unusual protective mask against coronavirus made from a paper bag, in Warsaw, Poland Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo

Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci wears a face mask featuring The Washington Nationals (a professional baseball team) Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP

JOHANNES EISELE/AFP
Protester wears a face shield made of a plastic box during a "Black Lives Matter" vigil in the Queens borough of New York City, USA JOHANNES EISELE/AFP

ARUN SANKAR/AFP
A man adjusts a face mask with his face's image printed on it as other face masks are hung behind. Chennai, India ARUN SANKAR/AFP

ROBYN BECK/AFP
Bill Wyatt wears a 'Donald Trump face mask' in his shop. He has transformed his topical tee shirt business to a topical face mask business. Los Angeles, USA ROBYN BECK/AFP

WANG ZHAO/AFP
A woman wearing a face mask and a hood crosses a street in Beijing WANG ZHAO/AFP

ESTEBAN COLLAZO / Argentina's Presidency Press Office / AFP
Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez wears a face mask with the map of the Malvinas/Falklands Islands (Sovereignty over the islands is disputed by Argentina and the UK) ESTEBAN COLLAZO / Argentina's Presidency Press Office / AFP

IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP
Lebanese protesters, wearing protective masks in the colours of their national flag, pose for a selfie during a protest against deteriorating living conditions. Lebanon IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP
Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article

Read more