Wear A Mask!: Oxford's Pandemic Portraits

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Oxford-based photographer Martin Stott captured hundreds of images of masked individuals, showcasing the diversity and individuality of a public health measure. This book presents 56 of these photographs, reflecting politics, identity, fashion, subversion, and resilience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 72 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Signal Books Ltd

Between early 2020 and spring 2021, Oxford, like the rest of the UK, was subject to a series of restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially hesitant, the government eventually stipulated that face masks should be worn in certain contexts to reduce transmission. These masks quickly became obligatory but also a matter of personal choice regarding their appearance and symbolic significance.

Over a year, Oxford-based photographer Martin Stott embarked on a project to capture the diverse and individual experiences of masked individuals in the city. Through his lens, he unveiled the extraordinary diversity and uniqueness that emerged amidst a public health measure that was previously unfamiliar to most. Politics, identity, fashion, subversion, and resilience are all vividly expressed in Stott's subjects, who were photographed in various everyday contexts.

This book presents a selection of 56 of these photographs, offering a striking visual record of how Oxford's population reacted to an unprecedented public health crisis and transformed face masks into a powerful expression of identity. Wear a Mask! serves as a poignant reminder of Anthony Fauci's memorable plea for collective action, capturing the spirit of resilience and unity that emerged during this challenging time.

Weight: 238g
Dimension: 200 x 344 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838463021