Biden-Harris Unity Mask

Produced at a time of great historic importance - the COVID-19 global pandemic and contentious presidential election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden - this masks designed by Monique Péan are both a comment on and reflection of the times during which they were made. This item was created by an artist in conjunction with a political organization, acting as both a fundraiser and means to raise awareness of an issue of importance to the artist.

African-American jewelry designer and sculptor Monique Péan designed a beige canvas facemask embroidered in white with the word "Unity" across the center, and "Biden-Harris" in the upper left and "2020" on the upper right, to be sold in support of the Democratic presidential campaign. Pean's design was one of a collection of Biden-Harris campaign apparel created by fashion designers including Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Joseph Altuzzara and Aurora James, sold on the campaign's website. The decision to design masks rather than a sweatshirt or t-shirt powerfully reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the election. About her, design the artist stated, “Each stitch in the mask that I designed to support the Biden-Harris campaign represents the many facets that make up the diversity of America. I am confident that Biden and Harris can unify our country and be the exemplary activists and advocates that we need to uplift and defend our civil rights and provide health, safety, and equal opportunity for all Americans."

With the advent of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the winter of 2020, cloth face covering including masks and bandanas became a standard wardrobe accessory. Facemasks quickly became available in a variety of materials and styles, initially home sewn, and then commercially. With the pandemic occurring in an election year, the wearing (or not wearing) of masks became a heated issue in the United States that defined the differences in the approaches of the Democrat and Republican parties approaches to addressing such a significant public health issue. Many artists and activists have chosen to use facemasks and covering as a vehicle to express their own responses to the political and social climate. TFA has determined that its representation of COVID-19 masks should be narrowly limited to visually engaging examples made or designed by artists for the benefit of a humanitarian or activist cause. This is an example of an established artist elevating the ubiquitous and utilitarian objects to express important ideas that serve as a reflection of the times in which they were made.