Oya Mask

NameFacial Covering

Maker Anatolian Artisan Cooperative

CultureAnatolian

Date2020

Place madeSoma, Turkey, Asia

MediumCotton, silk

DimensionsWith straps, depth measured flat.: 7 7/8 × 13 3/4 × 2 3/4 in. (20 × 35 × 7 cm)
Without straps: 9 1/16 in. (23 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of the Ibu Foundation, A.2022.23.5

Object numberA.2022.23.5

ProvenanceGifted by the Ibu Foundation (Susan Walker, the founder, did not want to be named in the credit line, although technically gifted by her and the foundation).

DescriptionCouture style face covering made during the COVID-19 pandemic with lace sewn on fabric abstractly and looks "fluffy", black, grey, white. [text from the Ibu Foundation]

From #MASK Exhibition: Oya Face Mask
Hanife Calar, Nazan Caliskan, Fatma Girgin,
Fatma Karabas, Fatma Kurtaran, and
Ayse Samanci for Anatolian Artisans

The women of Turkey have been employing a needle-lace technique known
as oya (Turkish lace) for centuries. Women of Anatolian Artisans in Soma,
Turkey, created a face mask that bursts with oya! There are a number of
different lace patterns, each expressing something unique. For example,
“hot chili peppers” suggests a fiery love life at home, certain flowers
are for mourning, and others for flirting.
“The women of Turkey have been employing a needle-lace technique known as Oya for centuries. Each type of lace expresses a different moment in time: hot chili peppers suggest a fiery love life at home, certain flowers for mourning, others for flirting."