Surreal Sculpture of Face Masks Kissing Explores Ideas of Intimacy Amid a Pandemic

Still in One Piece III by Johnson Tsang

Hong Kong-based artist Johnson Tsang is known for his astounding ability to manipulate clay into exquisite porcelain sculptures. Inspired by the world around him, Tsang has incorporated the consequences of the coronavirus into his latest work, titled Still in One Piece III. In the delicate sculpture, two faces—covered tightly in their face masks—kiss.

By focusing on the details of the human face covered by the face masks, Tsang calls attention to the transformation in how people interact during COVID-19. Seeing figures kissing while wearing a face mask is jarring, as society has been conditioned over the course of the year to keep physical distance. Yet at the same time, the gesture is touching. It's a reminder that even with the need for separation, we can still enjoy moments of closeness.

The emotional impact of the sculpture is not unusual when one consider's Tsang's body of work. This particular sculpture, created in a thin layer of porcelain, stirs up many different sentiments. Delicate yet dynamic, it sends a powerful message about the state of the world today.

“At the beginning of May, this idea popped up in my mind from nowhere during my meditation. Ideas came up to me like this very often. Many of my pieces were created with ideas popped up during meditation,” Tsang tells My Modern Met. “I have a strong feeling that these creative ideas were not originated from me. But I believe there must be a good reason that it came to me. Maybe just because I have the ability to realize these wonderful ideas and show them to the right people. For this reason, I don't want to interpret it myself. I think everyone who see my works has the right to interpret them in their own way, according to their own feelings.”

Take a closer look at Johnson Tsang's incredibly moving—and timely—porcelain sculpture.

Detail of Ceramic Face Mask Sculpture by Johnson Tsang

Johnson Tsang: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Johnson Tsang.

Related Articles:

Playful Ceramic Sculptures Filled With Lively Motion

Surreal Sculptures of Contorted Clay Faces Reinterpret Reality

Surreal Porcelain Sculptures Stretch and Distort Human Faces

Surreal Ceramic Sculpture Captures the Carefree Bliss of Falling in Love

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content