An exhibition of masks of "encouragement"

Over 300 masks created by almost 200 plastic artists – to be auctioned next May 9 – comprise the exhibition “ Máscaras de aliento ” (roughly, “Masks of Encouragement”) at the Franz Mayer Museum .

The director of the Museum, Héctor Rivero Borrell, mentioned that this exposition is the result of three years of talks and thinking how to piece together the exhibition, “which has been a pleasure and a delight.”

He detailed that the National Confederation of People with Intellectual Disabilities (CONFE), a self-funded organization, approached the Patronage of the Franz Mayer Museum and that the Museum is proud of having housed this project and of having joined efforts with an organization who has years “showing it's possible.”

An exhibition of masks of "encouragement"

(Aspect of the exhibition

 - Photo: NOTIMEX)

María Quijano, member of CONFE, has a 58-year-old brother with Down Syndrome and said this is a stake on art, on inclusion, “a stake which goes beyond the things which make us different upon birth and that helps us realize we're all the same behind the mask.”

She recounted that the first time this exhibition was organized was 20 years ago and then it was repeated 5 years ago, and now they are thrilled to be housed in this cultural venue.

She explained that CONFE is an NGO with 114 affiliated organizations across the country where people with disabilities are also employed, and that the organization provides attention to children from 0 to 6 as part of an early care intervention and as a source for early education.

“Masks of Encouragement” contains works of artists such as Gustavo Monroy, Sergio hernández, Rafael Cauduro, Eloy Tarciso, Rodrigo de la Sierra, Pancho Cárdenas, Pedro Friedeberg, and Fernando Andriacci, among others.