A must follow: Damselfrau, the master of masks

Damselfrau a.k.a Magnhild Kennedy is the artist who could turn even the mundane into the most beautiful creation. Her masks are as delicate as they are powerful, made with textiles such as lace carried by a 19th-century author, hair from a two-hundred-year-old Japanese geisha headpiece and items found in the street, the works are influenced by traditional Asian and African tribes.

The masks had originally been made by Damselfrau for the London club scene, but quickly her craftmanship and understanding of textiles developed, creating masks that explored the possibility of character play, in theatrical theory and the literal use as a veil. As Damselfrau delved into the intricacies of the masks, in their production and in philosophy, she discovered that her works became “subject to the projection of others as well as my own”.

Her work has quickly picked up a huge following on Instagram and even from neo-soul queen Erykah Badu, who had a custom piece made by Damselfrau which she wore at her concert at the London O2 on June 3.