Unmasking the Pandemic: From Personal Protection to Personal Expression

Representing the work of artists from over 23 countries, including over 40 Canadian makers and 15 Indigenous designers and artists, Unmasking the Pandemic: From Personal Protection to Personal Expression highlights a new permanent collection established by ROM curators inspired by the creativity of the masks and their makers. As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and masks were adopted internationally as personal accessories, the ROM’s collection continued to grow, and has become the foundation of this exhibition.

Showcasing exquisite artistry, innovative design, and powerful messaging, the masks reflect their makers’ stories of resilience, cultural identity, and collective humanity in the face of a global crisis. Presenting over 100 original masks, many hand-made, embellished and adorned, the exhibition explores themes of poetry and protest, survival and strength, heroes and warriors, and artistry and innovation.

Photo credit: Faith mask (detail), Nathalie Bertin, Toronto, Canada. Reproduced by permission of the artist. Image (c) ROM.