HAD IT not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, there would have been no need for Clothing the Pandemic: A Virtual Exhibition of Covid-19 Face Masks from Around the World. Since 2020, people around the world have been wearing face masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The face mask has also become the pandemic's iconic symbol, representing humanity's resilience, community and unity.

Organised by the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Costume, the virtual exhibition spearheaded by the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, showcases over 100 face masks collected by museum curators in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. The collection thus documents the material culture of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021.

Some key museums that are taking part include the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum; from Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is showcasing 6 masks.