Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos Virtual Mask Exhibtion

Marissa Magneson, Re-birth (2020)

Vintage Venetian glass beads, seed beads, melton cloth, cotton fabric, moose hair, copper cones, satin ribbon, hand-carved devil’s club beads 

Indigenous Resilience: In an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19, countries all around the world went into lockdown where people were asked to quarantine if and when possible.  For many, this period of self-isolation created a pause in their lives.  No longer were people running from point A to point B.  

Inspired by my own experience of moving back home to be with my family, I created this mask as a personal reflection of my growth in what I saw as a new beginning.  Just as with anything in life, growing pains happen as we mourn the life we once had while grappling with the current reality and the uncertain future.  

As part of Harbourfront Centre’s virtual Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos mask exhibition, I would like to dedicate this mask to all the artists who grew out of their self-isolation period.  To my friends and family who discovered new hobbies, new passions and new opportunities amongst the lockdowns.