Art in the Time of Corona
Art has always been a beacon of hope, support, and inspiration. And even more so during times of great tribulation. Throughout history we have used music, novels, films, photos, fabrics, and inanimate objects as tools to comprehend life and our place in the world. A world where anything is possible. A world we are currently unable to grapple with. Art has played a pivotal part in bringing us together despite social distancing. It can keep us grounded during times of panic, and motivates us during hardship.
People are dying, and critical resources are being overextended. As the essence of our freedom is diminishing, we have been forced to search inwardly, to explore the infinite space of our thoughts, imagination, and creativity. This pandemic has brought awareness to the arts, and their contribution to our well-being. And in certain ways, art has become essential to coping with coronavirus confinement for those in stay-at-home lockdown. In this time of crisis and isolation, art has become a constant source of comfort. Although for some there are more pressing needs, brief moments of joy, even in dire circumstances, often come from the arts and collective expression.
In an article by poet and author Ben Okri in the Financial times, “We Need More Art than Ever”, he made the case that the importance of art is more crucial than ever before. He states, “We need art to remind us why life is worth living. We need art to reawaken our sense of the wonder of being, to remind us of our freedom, and to highlight the things in our cultures that enable us to withstand the dreaded visage of death.”
Whether we realize it or not, we are forever consuming art. We spend our days on our phones scrolling through various photos, memes, and short poems. We skim articles and unconsciously shuffle through our Spotify playlists. But we are so consumed by our technology that we barely glance when walking past huge murals of graffiti, or powerful paintings. But if you are interested in what artists are doing during the Covid Era, check out the works of these five incredibly talented artists.
1. John D’oh
If you have already visited Bristol,UK it is likely you've already seen the work of John D’oh. A native Bristol artist, D’oh is known for his distinctive, quirky, and humorous aesthetic. The majority of his work is influenced by the media and created from recycled materials. He is inspired by his love of film, anime, comics, and the legends of street art. D’oh has recently been gaining attention for his comedic style and has been taking to the streets to share his perspective on COVID-19. Two of his pieces that spoke to me were of strong women following the pandemic protocol of wearing a face mask while out in public. The first piece is of a healthcare worker, wearing scrubs, a mask, and hair covering. Underneath is the superman logo, implying that healthcare workers are superheroes. The second is a graffiti of the animated Disney Princess, Mulan, getting a mask tied around her face by her trusty sidekick Mushu. Both works convey the strength of female figures and the importance of wearing face masks.
2. Hijack
Hijack is most well known for his remarkable artworks that are hidden amongst the streets of Los Angeles, CA. Every piece of his work makes a savvy humorous political statement. The artist thoughtfully centers his artworks around topics that he feels most passionate about. Hijack creates by silently observing life, waiting for inspiration to come to him naturally. He captivates the public with a dose of humor within the varied themes of works. The artist creates characters that provoke discussion in a calculated and clever way. The painting of the iconic healthcare couple, and the mural of soldiers carrying cleaning products as their weapons are two of his powerful pieces. The emotional painting conveys how this loving couple is making the best of a horrible situation. The mural conveys how the world is currently at war with a deadly virus.
3. Suzan Lucore
Upon moving to Sacramento, California, Suzan Lucore was shocked by the increase in homelessness in the capital city. Lucore decided to volunteer at the local homeless shelter to feed the impoverished and they became the inspiration for a series of striking portraits of the impoverished. She uses vibrant, bright colors to depict all of her subjects. She has recently gained notoriety for her painting entitled “19 Faces of COVID-19”. The piece is a commentary on how the virus does not care about creed, class, or color. It can take all types of people. Lucore acknowledges that it can be difficult for most people to wear a mask, but she believes that we all must come together and wear masks for the greater good of America. This painting evokes emotions that can prompt compassion for those who selflessly serve others.
4. Zabou
Zabou is a French street artist based in London, UK. She is an artist who works mostly with spray paint. She travels and creates large-scale black and white portraits with colourful backgrounds. Her pieces are striking and intriguing. They are centered around the expression and emotions of her subjects. She pushes visual and spatial boundaries, creating beautiful and special works of art. Zabou explores a multitude of themes including the pandemic. Her art is her way of making the world a more colourful place while evoking conversation and inspiration.
Rodriguez is an artist and painter from the South Bronx, New York City. He originally gained notoriety for a series of realistic painted portraits of passengers on the New York City Subway system. In 2019, he was a finalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition for his portrait of sculptor, John Ahearn. Rodriguez’s most famous work to date is his “Subway Series”, somber photo-realist paintings of the city’s subway riders. For the majority of his sketches, he snaps pictures on his phone of his unknowing subjects. The way Rodriguez portrays these characters is powerful and thoughtful.
These are a couple of his Covid subway drawings from the series.They are just ordinary people going about their day. I appreciate this series because they show regular New Yorkers doing what they are supposed to do to keep themselves and others safe.
These are difficult times, there’s no denying. But artists like John D’oh, Hijack, Suzan Lucore, Zabou and Devon Rodriguez are using their unique talents to provide necessary messages of camaraderie and hope to the public. Whether that be through quirky comedic graffiti, vibrant murals, or sobering and realistic sketches.
