We’ve discussed the ways that art institutions are responding to the Coronavirus crisis. But of course there’s a lot more to the art world than museums: museums couldn’t exist without artists, after all. Those who make art, those who sell art, and those who love art are all experiencing the stress and fear of this pandemic. As a result, people are turning to art to help them deal with isolation and fear. There are several instances of impromptu music being played on balconies for the benefit of locked-in neighbors all over the world. Indeed, there is scientific evidence that making art and viewing art makes people feel better: 45 minutes spent making art relieves stress, and viewing art rejuvenates the mind in a similar way to being outdoors 1.
Art Market
Galleries have been closed for a while now, leaving the art market at a virtual standstill. Big art fairs like Art Basel Hong Kong have been cancelled or postponed. Therefore, this is causing a problem for many artists in the short-term, as they depend on the sales they make at galleries and art fairs. There are also larger questions at play about how the art market as a whole will change during this pandemic, and after it.
Elizabeth Dee, an artist and gallery owner, is optimistic. She believes that the art market can improve when things go back to normal. She sees a future where the art market depends more on philanthropy, mentorship, and support from larger galleries for smaller ones 2. Whatever happens, we’re in a period of transition, and change is often painful. Artists are suffering as the sales they depend on are vanishing, and it’s likely that this will continue.
Artists
Some artists are responding to this uncertainty by creating street art or art that can be easily accessed by people at home. Much of this art is centered around the coronavirus.
A lot of the art thanks medical personnel or inspires hope.
The Spanish artist Pejac has been encouraging people to paint on their windows in a social media campaign, #STAYARTHOMEPEJAC.
Social Media
Social media is helping people connect with their favorite art institutions, and it’s also helping individual artists stay connected with their audience. Things move quickly online, and there’s always a new trend. One art trend that has become popular during the pandemic lockdown is recreating famous works of art. People are coming up with ingenious and creative ways to honor their favorite pieces with things they have around the house. Several museums have asked people to submit their own recreations of the masterpieces they have in their collections. There is also an Instagram account, CovidClassics, that is solely devoted to creating homages to famous works with household items. Oftentimes, these recreations are amusing.
But other times display a careful attention to detail and a dedication to get the feeling of the original piece correct.
The uncertainty of this time may make it difficult to feel inspired and creative. However, when art is viewed as a healing salve, it can get us through the hard times, and now is the perfect time to lean on art and let it bring us some joy. There are plenty of opportunities to learn a new skill (online courses teaching technical skill abound on platforms like Skillshare). No one needs to see what you create, but art is creating community in this crisis. There is plenty of opportunity for hope.
- “Stressed out? Art Can Help Us Get through the Coronavirus Pandemic | Earth Day,” accessed April 21, 2020, https://www.earthday.org/stressed-out-art-can-help-get-us- through-the-coronavirus-pandemic/
- “We Don’t Know What a Post- Coronavirus Art World Will Look Like. Here Are 6 Ways We Can Come Together to Build the One We Want,” artnet News, https://news.artnet.com/opinion/elizabeth-dee-op-ed-covid-1811637