Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus in 2020, this pandemic has had a huge impact on nations, societies, economies, cultures and individuals. Among various epidemic prevention policies such as lockdowns, vaccinations, wearing masks, alcohol disinfection and social distancing, the behavior of wearing masks is the most visible manifestation of the existence of the epidemic.

Everyone is a unique existence, and their appearance and facial features are particularly prominent in highlighting each person’s unique characteristics. However, since the epidemic began to ravage this world, everyone has put on masks, their noses and mouths are covered, their facial contours have become blurred, and only their eyes remain to highlight their personal characteristics and express their emotions. Despite different dress and hairstyles, people wearing masks all look the same. The recognition of individuals has decreased and individuals have disappeared, leaving only outline and shape.

Walking on the road, facing each other, passing by and being surrounded by people wearing masks with only their eyes exposed. Rationally knowing that people are still breathing but their noses are gone; their mouths are still there and people are talking but their mouths have disappeared. The most shocking thing is to see people wearing masks that are close to their skin color. The appearance of the nose and mouth disappearing from the face looks similar to humans but completely different, familiar yet strange and absurd.

I remember the day I met my future father-in-law for the second time (the first time was two years ago). During the short meeting of about an hour, because he was always wearing a mask, I didn’t know what he looked like until after I said goodbye to him. What I had a vague impression of was his head shape, hairstyle, glasses and eyes. The part of his nose and mouth was blank. This experience was particularly memorable.

I depicted this feeling on one hand to examine, analyze and understand my own feelings and on the other hand as a record of this unprecedented pandemic that has affected the whole world. Through my works I hope to inspire everyone who survived in the pandemic to reflect and learn from it.