Brazilian artist Jorge Roriz has a new canvas amid the coronavirus pandemic, painting on face masks for those wanting to make an impression while still remaining covered.
Roriz, 65, is known locally for recreating the magical world of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival with its colorful costumes and fantastic floats on his works of art.
Now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, he is using his art to make masks that don’t attempt to hide but rather accentuate the features of the wearer.
Roriz paints face masks that are so accurate as to be uncanny. As he speaks wearing his mask, his mouth, like that of a ventriloquist, does not appear to move.
“I use this mask in order not to lose my identity,” Roriz said.
He does it by painting the person’s lower face on to a white mask, taking time on the details like skin hue and lips.
The masks have become popular with people who don’t want to hide their face during the pandemic but are keen to protect themselves against the virus.
“It’s vital that people look after themselves, it’s good that people use masks,” he said.
”I’ve had a really positive reaction, people laugh. Something that was meant to be sad became something that brings joy.”