customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Associated Press

In one of Edmond Kok’s creations, a 3D visualisation of a spiky coronavirus bursts out of a face mask. Another mask uses a plastic takeaway container to remind people of the environmental cost of food deliveries.
A design inspired by a Thai temple symbolises people missing their favourite holiday destinations because of travel restrictions.
A Hong Kong actor and costume designer, Kok has had little theatre work during the pandemic but found creative opportunity in the now ubiquitous face mask.
He has crafted more than 170 masks, inspired by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems.


They’re not worn as personal protection, but as pieces of art.
Kok’s creations also address fears in Hong Kong that China is taking away the greater freedoms that residents have compared to the mainland. Under a new national security law, people have been arrested for displaying or chanting slogans deemed as advocating independence from China.










A mock gloved hand covers one mask, illustrating the struggle to express one’s voice freely. A security camera represents a fear of surveillance, and eyeballs, a fear of being watched or censored.
“I really want to document different things that happened in our lives,” Kok said.
After the pandemic ends, Kok hopes he and others will revisit their experiences through his masks. He has posted photos of them on Instagram and other social media platforms.


5 fresh French brands to know: beyond luxury houses Chanel and Dior, fashion labels like Polène, Sessùn and Petite Mendigote are making waves

Prada’s spring/summer 2025 show: punk sci-fi vibes abound, from alien-like sunglasses to hole-punched garments, as the Italian luxury brand ‘challenges any theory of chronology’ at Milan Fashion Week

Style Shoot: Sabato De Sarno’s daring vision for the Gucci girl in the luxury fashion house’s autumn/winter 2024 collection

Who is Cindy Crawford’s multimillionaire husband, Rande Gerber? He launched Casamigos Tequila with George Clooney and shares 2 children, Kaia and Presley, with his supermodel wife

Fashion

Artistic face masks reflect the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong politics and life

Edmond Kok models one of his face masks, with a design inspired by the now ubiquitous CCTV camera, a tool of public security and control. Photo: AP

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, is making a face mask at his studio in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask covered in blue artificial flowers which he made on Valentine's Day this February in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made from Chinese bamboo steamer in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask inspired by the decoration of Thai temple to Kok's face in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask decorated with many different fruits in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made by a rubber yellow duck in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask designed with a stuffed glove stuck on it, representing a hand over his mouth, looking scared, in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Face masks are seen on the table in studio by Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong actor and costume designer Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong’s political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Edmond Kok wears a selection of his face masks with designs reflecting the coronavirus pandemic and Hong Kong politics. Photo: AP

Hong Kong police arrest five men over theft of 400,000 defective face masks they tried to sell on open market

Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of 9,000 boxes of defective SPT masks. Photo: Facebook

The best face masks for running and working out: four types to make exercising outdoors during Covid-19 easier

Under Armour Sports Mask

New Balance face mask

Under Armour sport mask

Asics face mask

Boco Gear face mask

Taobao mask device for runners

UA sportsmask from Under Armous

The Under Armour sports mask is just one of many on the market today that can be used for running and exercising in outside.

For up to US$185, luxury face masks, bejewelled or with cashmere scarf, will keep you safe in style

Belgian jewellery designer Olivia Hainaut wears a protective mask decorated with gems. Photo: Reuters/Francois Lenoir

A model poses as she wears a "scarfmask" by The Wolf Belgium and created by Belgian stylist Aude De Wolf, in a store amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Brussels, Belgium July 19, 2020. Picture taken July 19, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Belgian jewellery designer Olivia Hainaut adjusts pearls on a mannequin wearing a decorated protective mask in her workshop amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Brussels, Belgium July 22, 2020. Picture taken July 22, 2020. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Belgian jewellery designer Olivia Hainaut wears a protective mask with a gold-plated clover reading “Be lucky”. Photo: Reuters/Francois Lenoir

Lifestyle

Fashion & Beauty


Theatrical costume designer Edmond Kok may be out of work, but he’s busy making artistic face masks
More statements than items of personal safety, his 170 decorative face masks symbolise the pandemic and political struggles in Hong Kong



From the coronavirus to a yellow rubber duck and a bamboo steamer, theatrical costume designer Edmond Kok is making creative face masks that reflect the pandemic, life in Hong Kong and its politics.


Artistic face masks reflect the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong politics and life

Theatrical costume designer Edmond Kok may be out of work, but he’s busy making artistic face masks More statements than items of personal safety, his 170 decorative face masks symbolise the pandemic and political struggles in Hong Kong

Theatrical costume designer Edmond Kok may be out of work, but he’s busy making artistic face masks

More statements than items of personal safety, his 170 decorative face masks symbolise the pandemic and political struggles in Hong Kong