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Gas Masks
How does Romuald Hazoumè turn traditional African mask-making on its head?
West African artist Romuald Hazoumè (rom-OH haz-OO-meh) gives traditional African masks a modern twist. The artist uses discarded plastic gasoline canisters as the primary form for the masks. The open spout becomes the mouth, and the handle forms the nose. He adds found objects, like heels from shoes, to create hair and other details. Hazoumè uses his masks to make a powerful political statement. The works draw attention to an underground system in which men are forced to smuggle fuel from Nigeria, a country in Africa, to neighboring country Benin. By transforming the empty fuel containers into masks, Hazoumè gives a face to an important problem.
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