Artwork Description:

This Plague Doctor mask and war bonnet was made in 2021. It represents the resiliency of Native Americans despite the many diseases we have faced including COVID-19. The mask features a Dakota Floral design with a ledger style background. The words on the mask are various diseases such as smallpox, cholera, COVID-19, and more. The flowers are medicinal plants used by Native Americans for centuries. The war bonnet is widely recognized as repressing strength, leadership, bravery, and the ultimate symbol of a warrior. The mask is made from premium vegetable tanned tooling leather. The design is first drawn onto the leather then carved, tooled, and painted. The bonnet is made from hand painted immigration eagle feathers, horse hair, ermine pelts, and vegetable tanned tooling leather.