Poly scrubs face mask

This face mask is part of Poly scrubs, a set of medical scrubs worn by Dr Shavonne Duffy, a General Practitioner based in Tāmaki Auckland. Staff were encouraged to wear scrubs as a means of protecting themselves and their wider ‘āiga [family] from contracting Covid-19. As Shavonne did not have her own, her mother, Lolita Asopesio Duffy, made these scrubs with leftover material from the puletasi (Sāmoan two-piece formal dress) she had made for her daughter’s graduation a couple of years earlier. They help tell a story about the importance of cultural identity in the workplace and times of crisis. After going viral on social media when a colleague posted an image of her working in her scrubs, Duffy shared; ‘One of the highlights of working during this period was when my boss posted my poly scrubs… Reading the comments was touching. I was not expecting to receive the positive feedback. I am so proud to be a Sāmoan doctor representing my culture, family and workplace.'

Lolita Asopesio Duffy, Sāmoa/New Zealand

2020

Designed in Auckland, New Zealand

Made in Auckland, New Zealand

Cotton, elastic straps

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
FE013569/4