Julia Kwon probably never thought she¡¯d be making masks one day. Yet when the COVID-19 pandemic reached her home state of Virginia, the fabric and textile artist's professional exhibitions and events were suddenly canceled.

Stuck at home, she started hand-sewing the beautiful masks that would comprise her ¡°Unapologetically Asian¡± project. Though masks are now ubiquitous fashion and health items, hers are immediately recognizable for their unique designs featuring Korean silk patchwork.

Traditional Korean fabrics might seem like unusual material for masks, but they are reflective of her previous work like the ¡°Like Any Other¡± series. Exhibited in various cities since its inception in 2015, the series incorporates Korean textiles into quilts and paintings. Both her current and previous works manifest social commentary around race and ethnicity.

¡°I decided to create vibrant Korean patchwork masks to unapologetically celebrate my ethnic identity and confront coronavirus-related racism,¡± Kwon said. ¡°I¡¯m not only a perpetual foreigner, but now during this pandemic, also a carrier or cause of the coronavirus.¡±

Anti-Asian, anti-Asian harassment and crimes of all severity, from vandalized restaurants to violent stabbings, have increased substantially since the coronavirus appeared in the U.S. The resulting fear and anxiety affect how many Asians — Kwon included — live and act in society.

¡°I initially saw no point in wearing masks because wearing them in the U.S. felt more dangerous to me,¡± she said. ¡°To wear a mask for protection doesn¡¯t necessarily equate to a sense of security if you¡¯re an Asian person living in the U.S.¡±

Though frustrated and defeated by societal pressures to exist quietly and invisibly, Kwon refocused her energy into Unapologetically Asian in the hope of triggering societal change. She wants the masks to promote public mask wearing habits, draw attention to racism and empower Asians to celebrate their culture and community.

She is clearly not alone in feeling this way. Unapologetically Asian has resonated with the public and Kwon has received with overwhelming enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for solidarity with whom I share experiences of being marginalized,¡± she said. ¡°It's extremely rewarding to be seen and supported for my ideas and labor.¡±

Kwon has painstakingly created over 60 handmade masks with no plans to stop. Besides her intent to promote socio-ethnic awareness, she also stressed that art is especially needed during these times.

¡°Creative expression should never be sacrificed. It¡¯s a basic human need and right to which everyone is entitled,¡± she said. ¡°I believe it¡¯s essential to take pleasure in art to be reminded of our own sense of humanity.¡±

With that in mind, Kwon asked people to continue supporting the art scenes in their areas, saying, ¡°I encourage people to enjoy a wide range of arts in their daily lives, and to buy and promote the works of living artists and art workers in their communities.¡±