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Vanessa Hyggen

Ahkamîthimo / Persevere mask 
Vanessa Hyggen
Saskatoon, SK
Miyuki, Czech and vintage beads on smoked moose hide
July 2021 
FRC2021.01.024

This mask, titled “Ahkamîthimo” -- the Cree word for “persevere” -- symbolises the perseverance required to endure the pandemic and, for artist Vanessa Hyggen, to complete this mask. Between April and July 2021, the artist worked on this piece little by little, repeating “Ahkamîthimo” to herself to stay motivated throughout the process. The mask depicts an imagined landscape inspired by the scenery of Northern Saskatchewan, the region where her roots are. Ideas around protecting nature and caring for the earth are significant themes and inspirations in Hyggen’s work.

etsy.com/VanessaHyggenArt (external link) 
@v_hyggenart (external link) 

Mannequin head wearing a leather mask with a beaded landscape
Close up of the beaded Cree syllabics
The beginning of the beading stages of the mask

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.

Both sides of the face mask completed and laying flat

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.

Side view of a mannequin head wearing a leather mask with a beaded landscape with Cree syllabics
Close up of the beaded landscape with a sun, river and trees
The beading process of the mask

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.

The two sides of the face mask sewn together

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.

Side view of a mannequin head wearing a leather mask with a beaded landscape
Leather strings tied in a bowtie behind the mannequin's head
One half of the beaded face mask completed

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.

Vanessa Hyggen taking a selfie wearing the completed face mask

Photograph by Vanessa Hyggen.