Art and Fashion have an undeniable connection.

Where art and fashion meets COVID-19:

Some consider style a representation of their personal artistic choices and for others fashion inspires their art, whether it be photographs, paintings or other creations. In recent years, artists have been collaborating with fashion designers on shoes, bags, and clothing — taking the visual impact of fashion to new levels and making art, historically seen in galleries and museums, more accessible. Kaws is a great example of an artist crossing all genres, from fashion to toys, and his collaborations sell from $15 to upwards of $2 million. Even further, brands like Louis Vuitton and its 2017 “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” traveling exhibition and museums like NYC’s MET with its 2019 “Camp: Notes in Fashion” exhibit continue the fusion of fashion and art.

This year added into the mix is the Coronavirus pandemic.  

The art and fashion worlds are responding by creating artwork that both protects people and supports the fight against COVID and those affected in so many ways. One amazing example is The Wedel Art Collective, which brings together six of the world’s most influential contemporary artists, who are creating masks for personal protection and donating all proceeds to charity.  COVID is dramatically affecting the art community in the same way it is affecting so many industries and workers.With galleries and museums closed, art fairs cancelled, and visual and performing arts only shown virtually, the art world is one of the many industries feeling the economic stress of the pandemic.  

The impactful masks designed by artists Jenny Holzer, Rashid Johnson, Barbara Kruger, Raymond Pettibon, Lorna Simpson and Rosemarie Trockel are being sold by Matches Fashion, a global luxury company, and can be purchased in a pack of 6 for under $200.  You can also purchase an individual mask by the artist that most inspires you.  With traditional outlets for established and emerging artists to express themselves and share their messages limited during the pandemic, more then ever the art community is joining forces with the fashion community to cast a wider net.   The 6 highly regarded artists in the collective are using their platform to help raise money both generally for the world health organization and specifically for young and less well known artists whose opportunities are impacted.  

Please click on the link below for information on each artist, the collective and this very special collaboration.