Viral Art: Good for the Soul
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Day four - but who's counting?
The Nationwide lockdown is barely into its first week here in New Zealand, but it's already starting to leave its mark. This is a period that no one will ever forget in their lives - the "so where did you isolate back when Coronavirus hit?" will be this generation's equivalent of knowing where they were when man landed on the moon or when they heard the news about Princess Diana.
The next question, so what did you do with all that time?
For so many, the answer is an inspiring one - I created.
Keeping your creative juices flowing at a time when the stresses of confinement and employment can be overwhelming isn't an easy task.
Whether it's writing, photography, painting, sculpture, dance, sketching, poetry, singing - or whatever floats your boat - it can make a difference. Capturing your emotions during one of the modern world's defining moments could be therapeutic and these days, anything that's good for your soul can't be overlooked.
After finding light and love in the darkness last week, this week's Viral Art checks in with how artists around the globe are expressing themselves during the COVID-19 era.
Over the course of the last fortnight, all of us can relate to bilingual artist Lali (@myheartsremedy) in some way or another. “Do you feel like you’re on a non-stop roller coaster that’s going at 300mph? I can go through all of these emotions in an hour, it’s been quite a ride!”
Toilet paper’s role (pun partially intended, not even sorry) as the original visual aid for COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be going away, as beautifully illustrated by Russian Ekaterina Sokolova (@sokolovagallery).
But hands down, it’s the facemask that is the image of Coronavirus. In this week’s classic with a twist, Aykut Karaarslan (@ayktkrsln)’s modern-day incarnation of Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.
The reality of lockdown can be one of confinement, but as Antra Švarcs (@antra.svarcs) shows we are “all alone together”, highlighting the unity we can have in this very individual, but collectively shared experience.
While some are struggling with the lockdown, some people seem to be adapting pretty well. Know anyone who fits the bill of Amy May’s (@artbyamymay) design?
While we’re thinking about the right now, some artists are casting their mind forwards to the future - with varying interpretations.
Californian painter/engineer Jenny Xia (@jieax) takes her stab at what romance is going to look like in the future, describing this work as “Quarantine day 103: Meet me by the river.”
Caroline Reedy (@doot_doodles) has a more optimistic message, stating “keep the hope alive.”
And we hit the streets to show the aroha art can provide, especially in these tough times. To show her appreciation to the front-line staff tackling COVID-19 head on, Lisa Gaither (@lisagaitherart), used her chalk skills to put a smile on the faces of health care workers outside the local hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Do you have any #viralart to share? tag @thebigideanz on Instagram or DM us - now is the time to be sharing our work to bring joy and inspiration when it's needed most.