This piece represents my feelings of being trapped in endless isolation. As society moved on from wearing masks and taking precautions, the vulnerable were left behind. It felt like I had to become a warrior to survive my new reality. Any hope I once had that COVID-19 would be eradicated had died. This mask features woven metal wire that forms a cage of unexpected shapes to represent the confusing mix of emotions I grappled with daily. The choice of silver—across both the mask and the accompanying photos—symbolizes my need to become corrosion-resistant, like stainless steel, to protect myself from the unseen threats around me.
