Steampunk Gas Masks & Helmets So Exquisite, They'll Leave You Breathless.

It's hard to believe that Tom Banwell has no formal art training and is largely self taught when you look at his expertly crafted collection of leather and metal Steampunk Gas Masks & Helmets. The masks and helmets are an impressive display of workmanship, complete with mechanical parts, fully wearable and entirely original.



Tauruscat Dream Helmet:











Steampunk FireMaster Helmet and Gas Mask:









Fire Master Gas Mask only:



The Fire Master Gas Mask in black:





Having dabbled in a variety of media over the years, including batik, woodcarving, mixed media art dolls and leatherworking, creating art in the steampunk genre suits Tom exceedingly well because it combines several of his interests; history, costuming, mechanics and fantasy.



Steampunk Sentinel Gas Mask and Helmet:











Sentinel Gas Mask only:





Steampunk Pachydermos Gas Mask with Ears:







Pachydermos Gas Mask without Ears:





Steampunk Underground Explorer Helmet Mask and Cannister:











Steampunk Rhino Gas Mask:









Oliphont Gas Mask:







Ichabod Gas mask:









Respirator Gas Masks in black or brown:





all images courtesy of the artist.



You can also purchase nicely designed posters of these beautiful creations here at his Zazzle store.



In addition to these stunning gas masks and helmets - which run anywhere from $225 to $4000, Tom makes and sells many different types of hand-crafted leather masks (not just Steampunk) in his online etsy store here.

Post Apocolyptic Couture: Designer Gas Masks By Diddo

above: High Fashion Protection as interpreted by Diddo Velema.

Contrary to what other blogs and sites are saying, these were not made for Gucci, LV, etc, but instead as art pieces.

As described by the artist:
We are in a state of perpetual war – with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In the present context, this fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption.

Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied. An expanding archive of branded myths and icons feeds this fear. Designer Gas Masks is an attempt to visualize this state of mind. Because it is only by first acknowledging and then challenging fear that we will all be able to breathe a little easier.

The masks are currently made for gallery purposes only.

Louis Vuitton Gas Mask:

Gucci Gas Mask:

Swarovski Crystal Gas Mask:

See the artist's site here.

UPDATE:
Although slightly changed from their first showing, Diddo now sells art prints on high gloss Fuji Pro DP2 Pearl paper that measure 30”x30” (76x76 cm) of each of his fabulous haute couture masks:




Buy the art prints here.


I'm a big fan of Diddo's work. be sure to his drool-worthy wetsuits here.