How to make your own masks explained by artist Zhijun Wang

The Chinese artist famous for his masks made from sneakers explains his technique with a video tutorial and a model to print, which you can download here.

Zhijun Wang kept his word. In mid-March, the Chinese artist – who uses sneakers to make antismog masks, part of the MoMA collection in New York – told Domus about his latest project: a mask made from a Esselunga supermarket shopping bag to draw attention to the need to protect himself from the Coronavirus. He also told us that he was working on “a tutorial to allow anyone to make a mask for themselves when they are not in the shop or pharmacy.”

“But I want to think about it carefully so that people don’t get hurt,” he added. After a month of work, with the collaboration of his wife Yutong Duan, he sent us the model (to be downloaded and printed in A3) and the tutorial video that explains how to sew a mask, with an internal filter pocket, using splash resistant and breathable materials, such as non-woven fabric. In addition to wearing the mask, you have to “maintain social distance, wash your hands and support the front line,” he concludes. “I hope with this tutorial I can help people through this difficult time.” The masks are not intended as medical devices, but simply personal protective equipment.

Zhijun Wang, Esselunga Mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Yeezy 700 mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Yeezy 700 mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Yeezy 350 V2 Beluga mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Off White Vapormask

Zhijun Wang, IKEA Frakta Mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Clot Silk Air Force 1 Mask Photo: Zhijun Wang / Instagram: @zhijunwang
Model: Aria Duan / Instagram: @aria.duan

Zhijun Wang, Acronym Presto Mask V2

Zhijun Wang, Adidas COPA Mask for Paulo Dybala

Zhijun Wang, Af1 PeaceMinusOne Mask

Zhijun Wang, AF1 Split Mask

Zhijun Wang, Colette AJ1 Goyard Mask

Zhijun Wang, Fila FR2 Rabbit Mask

Zhijun Wang, Harden V2 Mask

Zhijun Wang, Kobe XI Mas

Zhijun Wang, Kyrie 4 BHM Mask

Zhijun Wang, Off-White AJ1 Goyard Mask

Zhijun Wang, Off-White AJ1 LV Mask for Takashi Murakami

Zhijun Wang, Off-White Presto Mask

Zhijun Wang, Off-White Vapormax Mask

Zhijun Wang, Panda Pigeon Dunk Mask

Zhijun Wang, Supreme Air Uptempo Mask

Zhijun Wang, Terra Cotta Mask