Since the nineties, Walter Van Beirendonck has been fascinated with masks. They change your identity, invoke a certain atmosphere and have an instant impact. Many artists, among whom are Andre Breton, Pablo Picasso and even Brueghel, have been influenced by them. Power Mask - The Power of Masks elaborates on the many different aspects of masks: the link between Western art and African masks, the supernatural aspect, rituals about masks, masks in fashion or as a fetish...Walter Van Beirendonck is "a truly engaged visionary and a passionate designer, artist and teacher." - Jurgi Persoons, fashion designer. "Walter Van Beirendonck succeeded where I have failed; he turned me into a muscle-man instantly. He is a true artist and there's not many of them around." - Bono, lead singer of U2. "Come along and take a ride into the crazy helter-skelter, inside-out, upside-down world of Walter Van Beirendonck. Colours and shapes reach psychedelic dimensions to charm and astound you." - Stephen Jones, milliner. This book accompanies an expo in the Wereldmuseum (World Museum) Rotterdam, from 1 September 2017 until 7 January 2018.

Text by: Valeries Steele, Kaat Debo