Guga mask

This face mask of white cotton embroidered with the image of a gannet in flight and ‘2m’, was made by artist and designer Deirdre Nelson. Entitled ‘Guga’ (Scottish Gaelic for gannet), the intricate embroidery in the piece makes the link between the two- metres wingspan of the northern gannet and the same distance stipulated for social distancing in the UK. The work was created as a reflection on discussions and debates around human relationships with the natural world that came to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

Deirdre Nelson, Scotland

2020

Made in Glasgow, Scotland

Cotton, embroidery

National Museums Scotland
X.2021.27