Living In A COVID World

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Fine Art

Fine Art

Not a Virus

Allison, TX

Grand Prize Winner

The events of COVID-19 have triggered many cases of xenophobia and racism directed against Asians. My closest friend, who is Chinese, was subject to a hate-filled comment at a cafeteria, and another one of my Asian friends received pointed stares from strangers at her local supermarket when she wore her mask— instances that aren't as severe as the violent attacks that have been made against Asians but just as telling of the distrust that is commonplace during this time. Our president himself has labeled the coronavirus as the "Chinese virus," sparking outcries among Asian Americans, including myself. Through this piece, titled "Not a Virus," I hope to convey that I am, well...not a virus. I, nor other Asians, deserve to feel anxious or vulnerable in public for something in which we had no part. We are also human. We are also afraid. The virus has wreaked havoc on our lives as well, so venting feelings of fear and frustration onto us is no excuse and will not solve anything. This piece is a self-portrait. The mask I am wearing that says "I AM NOT A VIRUS" clearly gives my message. The white flowers on my shirt represent innocence, specifically the innocence of Asians all around who are not by any means responsible for this pandemic.

Fine Art

COVID

Tsegaamiak, AZ

This piece is how I see the covid-19 and it's impact on the world. Everything and everyone is so worried about it, but it shows that there's some hope. I want to show in this artwork that in the midst of the disaster the world is going through right now, there is good coming.

Fine Art

Living in a COVID World

Nhu, CA

To me, living in the COVID world is extremely chaotic. It is so overwhelming to deal with all the sudden changes and tragedies caused by the pandemic at once that I feel like a container so overloaded that I can burst open and spilling everything out into a huge ugly mess, which is shown in my painting. So, using numerous layers of paint strokes, along with placing an overwhelming number of objects, I want to create an overall chaotic and confusing atmosphere, which not just me, but everyone is mentally and emotionally feeling right now.

Fine Art

Critical Workers

Hannah, CA

As the world descends into a stagnant state due to the rampant COVID-19, social distancing has rendered it to forget the efforts of hidden heroes, working and risking their lives for the community. As an artist, seeing the world from a newly anchored perspective meant to recognize those who refuse to rest in service. To live in a COVID world not only means to abide by governmental restrictions to quell the spread of the virus, but also to take time to acknowledge and appreciate those who continue to work to sustain the community, such as the cheerful, local mailman.

Fine Art

Masks

Emily, NV

The picture below has a few of the masks that I have made to protect myself and others when in public during the pandemic. I decided to decorate them to create a fashion statement. The one on the left is modeled after the Mardis Gras costume I made this year, in hopes I may be able to wear it next year. The middle one is the first mask I made and is made almost completely out of thrifted materials. The one on the right has a positive message that I wish to share with others in lieu of a smile.

Fine Art

Until Tomorrow

Eleanora, MN

This piece depicts me holding my mom’s best-friend’s baby girl for the first and last time since the pandemic began. To me it represents how Covid -19 has removed so many of life’s special moments, like welcoming a new family member or connecting with people we couldn’t imagine being without. Yet at the same time, it’s a reminder of how important it is to take those precautions; life is precious, and denying ourselves these moments is what ensures that we and our loved ones have a tomorrow to look forward to together.

Fine Art

Remote Learning

Corrina, GA

This painting captures the scene of a teenager at a desk with a laptop, holding a phone. The missing work displayed on the laptop screen implies the anxiety that teens feel with the new way of doing school online. The teenager’s lack of interest and dull colors throughout the painting exhibits signs of depression. This work of art showcases my own feelings and opinions towards what it’s like to live in a COVID World. Although there are downsides to being home a lot more often, I do see opportunity in this situation for not just me but many other people.

Fine Art

Facetime

Celeste, TX

In this COVID-19 quarantine, depression comes easily. However, what people do not realize is how lucky we are to have technology at our fingertips to chat and Facetime with our loved ones. In my composition, I chose my grandmother because our family has done everything to isolate my grandmother from this pandemic. She is advised to stay indoors and completely ignore in-person interaction. My only connection to her is through our daily video chats. That’s when my world and her world lights back up. In those moment, we forget about the virus outside because we are too busy smiling.

Fine Art

Fragile

Analise, CA

This drawing is meant to represent the level of anxiousness that some may feel especially during this time of uncertainty. The girl that is crying is meant to represent how some may be feeling with COVID-19 not knowing what is going to happen next and the only thing that they are left to feel is vulnerable and fragile. The tears are left pure white because although they are there those tears are not going to change what is going on and is not going to make things any better. While the butterfly of the girl's nose is meant to tell her that everything is going to be all right and there is no need to cry it might take awhile but things will get better. Then they flowers are also just there to represent the beauty that there is to come once all of this COVID-19 starts to calm down.

Digital Art

Digital Art

No Silence in Resistance

Linlin, MA

“Quarantine is digesting.”
It’s time to cage ourselves with our thoughts, break free of our mundane routine, and surrender to isolation while feeling the depths of hindsight. It’s also time to contemplate the injustice and speak out under our masks. In these times we are creating an online presence to take off these masks so we can demonstrate human good. We will not be silent; knowing that is refreshing. And time and time again, we remember that beyond the walls awaits a promised sky, a hope of being much closer with people.

Digital Art

Feuds of the Melting Pot

Misha, IN

You might being wondering why and how this connects to living in Covid world. Some might thought the whole world had stop when quarantine hit when it didn’t. There were still violence, racism, police brutality, suicide and more that’s going on before that’s still happening. People who go through depression is stuck alone in a house that probably don’t feel like a home to them. Violence lurks the streets. We carry extra thoughts and concerns. Waking up to breaking story of someone losing their life on streets you think no one is roaming. I fear being at the wrong place at the wrong to as an African American, a person of the lgbt community, and as an female.

Digital Art

Six Feet Apart

Lillian, NJ

This piece shows how all kinds of people from around the word are being affected by this virus and having to live with it. Our daily life’s have become so isolated, especially during this quarantine. The phrase “Keep a safe six feet apart from people” has been on repeat on the news, media, and in many people’s minds. I wanted to represent that invisible boundary we are now living in with none other that of giant blowing bubbles. It is safe inside of our bubbles, but also isolated and lonely.

Digital Art

Living in a COVID World

Jewel, IL

In Chicago, thousands of tourists come daily to enjoy attractions like “The Bean”, formally known as Cloud Gate. In my artwork, only 10 people are standing near the Bean, which is not a common thing in Chicago. After this pandemic, security may only allow a certain number of people near the Bean at a time. The bubbles seen around each person to me shows now nobody would want someone too close, or like I believe “in their bubble”. In a city full of life, we all will have to take many precautions at the individual attractions.

Digital Art

Plague Doctor

Isabella, AZ

This piece was inspired by the standards Covid-19 created, such as wearing masks in public and social distancing, creating a more alien like environment. This digital painting represents the time when people panicked and ran stores out of stock of basic essentials, thus making these basic essentials more valuable.

Digital Art

Floating Through a Pandemic

Anna, NJ

Through these hard times, I’ve felt like I was floating through dark waters. The days pass by like the current of time is pushing me forward; I am stuck in this endless, dark space. No matter where I travel, I’m plagued with pandemic headings. On every screen surrounding me, I’m reminded of the current global situation: one of deaths, sadness, and panic. It’s no surprise that the news highlights the unfortunate events happening now; but I feel that while I am stuck in this river, the shining lights lead me further through this darkness rather than out.

Digital Art

That Wild Sis

Aimee, MN

This digital illustration is a Byzantine icon of Mary Magdalene in a highly saturated, irreverent style. Looking back on female figures like these, I want to remember the kind of stamina and faith that carried them through so many bad seasons of life. I remember to represent myself with vibrant wit and life, admitting the struggles around me without putting myself in a victim mindset. While facing every new problem that Covid19 brings, I'll be throwing up blessings and responding with "that's wild, sis."

Photography

Photography

Unmasking Hope

Devin, PA

This photo represents how a mask is a symbol of hope when living in a COVID world. Although masks may seem like a burden to wear and deal with, they are the tools that allow us to continue our lives, go outside, and complete essential jobs and practices. Wearing masks might induce fear in some people, but I believe that masks show that there is hope. Masks are the tools that allow us to go outside and take advantage of the beauty outdoors. I believe that in a COVID world, behind the masks are love and hope.

Photography

The Walls Are Caving In

Vianae, CO

Through this picture staying home under the order and to stay safe can seem like staying in a confined space for a while, not being able to resume to what normal was. Staying inside, the rooms seem to get smaller and you’re surrounded by the old memories. The way to see what happening outside all through media and sometimes hard to see or hear. Living in a COVID World has rooms feeling like small boxes and the things hanging on walls only remind you of times that were normal, the outside is always accessible through media and all of the events.

Photography

Grow

Raj, CA

This picture has taught me a fundamental lesson to remember in this COVID-19 world: in even the most rugged, dirty, and onerous conditions, if I have the right mindset, I can and I will grow, and inevitably overcome. The day I took this picture, the rocky ground was sparkling with incipient buds of grass. I realized that just like these rocks, COVID-19 is creating a massive obstruction in our lives. However, that shouldn’t discourage us; it should encourage us to work around it and look for a solution until the sun shines on us again.

Photography

Isolation

Phouvieng, PA

Photography

Kindness Reflects

Abby, CA

My entry is a homemade hand-cut piece of pine wood that I used to carve the words spread kindness. In the new “normal,” so many people sit at home and feel trapped. This photo and sculpture is a reminder that kindness reflects onto other things. Be kind to your family, friends, and your self during these tough times and spread whatever joy you can even if it seems minimal. Reflecting is happening more and more and we need to make sure we are reflecting love, kindness, and hope to one another and ourselves.

Poetry

Clash of 3 Realities

Ashley, CA

Therapy for Humanity

Sophia, CO

At The Break of Dawn

Raj, CA

Primary Colors

Huda, NC

Her name is Corona

Christelle, FL

If you cared

Ashley, CA

Poetry

Reality 1

My daughter comes rushing home after school.
Her cheeks are flushed with her hair messy from
the wind. There’s a certain glint in her eye that I
know very well. She asks me a question.

“Momma, what were you doing during the
Coronavirus Pandemic?”

I smile to myself, already fixing her a snack.

“Well, you see, my family just stayed home all
day. It was called social distancing, you know
what that means?”

“You mean that you and uncle didn’t go to school?
And grandpa stopped working? Then what’d you
do all day?”

Pushing her food towards her, I say, “Well, I used
my phone and laptop a whole bunch. I slept in all
day because there wasn’t much else to do.”

Swallowing, she says, “Well momma, then you
must have been the luckiest girl in the world, not
having to go to school!’

I look off into the distance, remembering a far off
time. “Not exactly. Baby, you see, when you look
like the way that your grandparents and your uncle
and I did, I’m afraid it was a little scary. People
didn’t treat us kindly because they were afraid.
Some people thought that we had caused the
virus.”

And because she’s my daughter, and she’ll know
better, and I know she’d be angry with me about
the injustice that the Asian Community faced
during this time. And while I take her to sports
practice and ice cream later tonight, I’ll be happy
that she will never learn to know a time like that.

Reality 2

My daughter races down the stairs after school.
Her eyes are red with her face pale and tired from
today. There’s a certain glint in her eye that I know
very well. She asks me a questions

“Momma, what were you doing when this
Coronavirus Pandemic started?”

My eyebrows knit together as I fix her a snack.

“Well, you see, my family just stayed home all
day. We tried social distancing even back then.
But as you know, not everyone listened.”

“You mean people still went outside? Like to the
beach and the park? Didn’t people get in trouble
for doing that?”

Pushing her food towards her, I say, “Well, people
didn’t take it seriously. Many people thought the
cost of discomfort wasn’t worth it.”

Swallowing, she says, “Well momma, then you
must have been the luckiest girl in the world, being
able to go outside before the pandemic.”

I look off into the distance, remembering a far off
time. “Yes baby, I must have been.”

Reality 3

I have no daughter.

Clash of 3 Realities

Ashley, CA

The future of our world is shrouded in mystery. No one knows for sure of what will happen after this pandemic, some even questioning if this will even end. I decided to outline the main views of what people were thinking about this poem, but made sure to add some of my personal experiences into it.

Poetry

To: Humanity
From: COVID

You may know me by many names
oh, but you know me, of that I’m sure
you’re afraid, you hate me, you’re angry
I know.
I’m not here to make you happy.
You might think
I’m here to take your grandparents,
your jobs,
your plans,
to make you afraid,
I’m not.
I’m here because I need to be
I’m here because there was no other way
I’m here because I see how beautiful you are
and you don’t.
I’ve seen what you’ve done to yourself
you’re dying.
Killing yourself
each generation fastening the noose
just a little tighter,
but you haven’t noticed.
You move too fast
at war with yourself.
You relentlessly compete
distracted by your shallow motivations,
racing against the clock.
Who will die the richest?
Such chaos, such ignorance
it’s no wonder you’ve lost your purpose
You needed to heal, to reset
so I’m here to help
to take it all away
to give you time
time to reflect, reassess, recover
to see yourself through my eyes
to remember where you belong
to rediscover your purpose
I’ll guide you back
You’ll find yourself
it’s simple.
All you need to do is breathe
And maybe,
Just maybe
By the time I’m gone
You’ll see
I’m not the one that was killing you.

Therapy for Humanity

Sophia, CO

This poem reflects what living in a COVID world means to me in the way that I've been grappling with understanding a deeper meaning. I struggle with my mental health, and this has been a hard time for me. While grieving the loss of all my plans, I began to wonder more and more about the possible good that could come out of this. I hoped to put a refreshing spin on it all. I wanted to make humanity the bad guy and personify COVID, making it a well-meaning person/higher power who came to rescue us all.

Poetry

The Weather of COVID Quarantine

Sierra, PA

I wrote this poem in April 2020. We were getting the strangest weather and it matched the mood of the time perfectly. I live in Erie, Pennsylvania and we were getting snow and hail and thunderstorms. Down South, there were tornadoes and the wind howled. This weather was so strange and out of the ordinary and it seemed as though the weather were in mourning with me. We were stuck inside for weeks and we kept getting more terrible news about deaths from the virus and places closing. I was sad and the weather matched my mood and reflected it.

Poetry

It is 4 AM and I’m standing on a rope,
Trying to balance my memories.
Unfortunately, I’m a terrible gymnast.

I can’t seem to forget
Those days when the streets were filled with kids playing 4-square,
Those days when the school echoed with the laughs of thousands of students,
Those days when the world was normal.

I’m twisting and turning in my bed,
Wondering if it’s the pillow that won’t let me sleep.
I toss it across the room.

And my memories run me back to my days of being late to the next class,
My friend tossing me my bag across the classroom.
Oh, how much would I give to go back to that day.
I wish I spent more time with him.
But too many of us never appreciate the things that come easy.

My body feels like it’s on fire and I’m starting to sweat.
Wondering if it’s the blanket that’s heating me up,
I tear it off me.

And my memories bring me back to my Cross Country days.
Running miles in the excruciating heat on the trails with my friends.
Oh, how much would I give to go on those runs again.
I wish I ran a little harder.
But too many of us succumb to the slightest hint of pain.

I still can’t sleep.
I need water.
I get up and start walking downstairs,
Feeling my way around the walls.

And my memories take me to my days of biking aimlessly late at night,
Feeling the bitter, cold wind penetrating my skin, rattling my bones.
Oh, how much would I give to go biking again.
I wish I took a few more turns before finding my way home,
But too many of us get scared of the dark.

When I finally got downstairs and into the kitchen,
I poured myself a glass of water
And looked outside into the darkness.
I realized
I found my way down without any light.

I realized that our world has been given an obstacle.
Our world has been given an opportunity.
An opportunity to learn,
An opportunity to help,
An opportunity to become a part of something greater than ourselves.

I start to see the radiance of unity in the darkness.
I start to hear the melody of compassion in the silence.
And I start to feel the warmth of humanity in the cold.

The fight against this disease is slow and painful,
But we know that quitting will not make it any faster.
Together, we fell.
And together, we will rise.

I look outside with this newfound perspective
And see an orange hue spilling over the clouds,
replacing the darkness.
The sky became strangely illuminated.

Dawn.

At The Break of Dawn

Raj, CA

This poem delineates how COVID-19 taught me to value the small pleasures in life. When my school closed, I was devastated. I feared COVID-19 would erect a wall between me and the physical world as everything became virtual. However, it proved that distance was insignificant if we gave humanity the tiller of our lives. The poem describes this little epiphany: our distance is proof of our unity. Living in a COVID-19 world inspired me to become part of a community that is greater than myself, helping people acquire food, connect with others virtually, and mitigate the spread of the virus.

Poetry

Between - part 1

Megumi, CA

The COVID-19 crisis has plunged the world into a period paradoxically filled with many absences, ranging from social distancing to death. My poem "Between" investigates how it's like to navigate through these absences as an anxious, disoriented young adult losing her innocence and senses of time and self amidst a barrage of various contrasting forces, highlighted during the speaker's simple, ritualistic act of hand-washing in a bathroom. I wrote the poem by hand on two sheets of paper towels, which have themselves been lasting emblems of this crisis, to further underscore the fragility of life explored in the work.

Poetry

Between - part 2

Megumi, CA

Poetry

Red
the color of her lips
raw from jagged bites of unease
the color of her eyes
flushed with worry
the color of the alerts
carrying more notices of suffering

Red
but also
the color of the sewing machine
lying in wait atop a desk
the color of her chair
creaking as she draws in back
the color of fabric
dancing into flawless seams of a mask
the color of her fingers
blushed with proud work
the color of another girl’s cheeks through the door
twisting into a grin as she slides her creation through

Blue
the color of her thoughts
filled with anxiety for herself and her family
the color of her ice skates
untouched for weeks
the color of the health warnings
inundating her online

Blue
but also
the color of the patterns
weaving throughout her new work
the color of the notes she receives
thank you and this means everything
the color of the hearts
thanking her through text

Yellow
the color of the sun
locked outside and untouchable to her

Yellow
but also the color of the sun
warmth and small joys
brought indoors through pockets
of giving and showing of love
of the vibrant colors that bind humanity
no matter what
the color of hope for a better day
for her and the world

Primary Colors

Huda, NC

"Primary Colors" acknowledges the incredibly difficult time young people are finding themselves in, with being "locked" inside, filled with worry about the wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones, as well as missing their routine and enjoyable activities. It also shows how living in a COVID world means recognizing these struggles and knowing that you are not alone, knowing that your goodness is not forgotten just because everyone is inside, but rather that your goodness can come out in a new way to provide hope for yourself and the people you care about.

Poetry

Her name is Corona.
Born within the confines of carrion, raised secretly within the most quiet animalistic cry.
Even when she is surrounded by the stench of dead flesh, she considers herself beautiful.
She made herself a mirror, cracked herself and used the sharpest shards to defend herself.
Extracted her essence into the most potent poison to destroy all her insecurities.
She carved herself into a deadly arrow and stepped inside the comfort of the most accurate crossbow, leaving punctured bodies and an air of pride in her wake.

She is confident.
We watch as she navigates her way through the air with no problem.
She is more than ecstatic to swing from target to target naturally and use her airborne nature to wage war on the most innocent of civilians.
She’ll creep her way into bodies if they’re close enough and use them to carry her duplicates.
She spreads like wildfire, creating destruction in her path and watches as her victims sob over the scorched earth.
She has no mercy for the weak.

We can wear as many masks as we want but nothing will ever mask our fear.
Bold headlines, scarce supplies, and desperately trying to defend our loved ones.
Not one person was prepared to weather the storm that consumes us.
We were expecting to crush her with gold lightning and brilliant thunder but we got heavy clouds and a hailstorm of chaos.
Blinded by the heavy rain, we yearn to see again but there is no eye in this storm.

This is a real life simulation.
Your objective is to remain 6 feet away from every NPC at all times, lest her deadly DNA burrow its way into the same lungs you used to laugh with.
The same lungs you used to let out sighs of relief.
The same lungs that you’ll drown in if you’re not careful.
The only other option is to gather as many materials as possible and take cover.

Your driveway is as close as you can get to the highway.
The only sun you’ll get is in the sunroom.
The least we can do is retreat to home base.
Within these four walls we have two choices.
Sip from the chaos brewing outside and spew out useless panic or drink the last drop of futile hope we have sitting within our reserves.
Pick your poison.

And when you claw at your neck, choking on fear, remember who will be there to save you.
Remember every doctor and nurse that must sacrifice their bodies to protect yours.
Remember all the first responders who stand on the frontlines so you can sit comfortably behind them.
They’ve been given a surprise test with no chance to study beforehand, and they can’t afford to fail.

As the sun sets on this bleak world, we are constantly reminded that we are in dark times.
Although we struggle to get a grip on the slippery surreality that surrounds us, we aren’t quite ready to let hope slip out of our hands.
One day, the crack between families will seal itself as we reunite with the people in our lives.
One day, we’ll be able to exit this fever dream; fearless and maskless.
One day, the setting sun will rise again; I know it.
One day.

Her name is Corona

Christelle, FL

Living in a covid world has shown me just how rapidly the world can change in an instant. Learning to adapt to these changes is not the simplest task. I go out into public spaces when necessary and the bleakness of watching these masked people struggling to stay 6 feet away from everyone completely floors me. It’s changed everything, and it doesn’t seem like it’ll end anytime soon. In these times, I get reminded that at the end of the day, hope is all we have, and we must fight to keep a hold on it.

Poetry

if you cared to know how i feel about this pandemic

written on 3/11
before everything took a turn for the worse
and every fear i had became a reality

last month, an old white man pointed at my family and
muttered the words coronavirus under his breath.

i wonder where he got this idea from.

did he just look at my small slanted eyes and flat face
and see those words plastered on my forehead instead?

because somehow, someway everyone sees the
same thing

i’ve encountered more racism in this last month
than i have in my entire life, but little do they know
that i’m not even chinese.

or been to china. ever.

but that only makes my heart ache for my asian
brothers and sisters who now also have to watch
their every move.

we can’t even sneeze in public without everyone
scattering like a drop of oil in water.

when everyone’s afraid that the virus will find their
bodies, i’m afraid that my brother will find himself
at the end of bloody fist instead of finding his way
home.

i’m less afraid of the death rate of this sickness than
i am of the xenophobia that seems to be spreading
much faster.

i’m tired of everyone literally holding their breath
around me.

and the worst part is

when people look at my face and see the
coronavirus instead

nobody even notices

not even when i try to fight back, my words getting
lost in the filter of their mask

drowned out by the sound of the people storming
their costco’s and supermarkets

it’s like they’re watching the news for the spread of
the disease, not realizing the damage that has
already come around them

so to the racist grandpa who thought i couldn’t hear
him say the words coronavirus because we were in
the middle of cheesecake factory.

when i say i wanted to punch you.
i mean i really wanted to punch you.
i mean i wanted to cough aggressively in your direction.
i mean i wanted to sneeze on you and mess up your
clean white button up shirt.
i mean i wanted to fight back.
but i didn’t.

instead, i forgave you.
not that you deserved my forgiveness or any of my
time and energy,
but because i’m better than you.
and i only cared about it enough to write a poem a
month later

If you cared

Ashley, CA

I wrote this poem a month after my first racist encounter concerning the coronavirus. While I have had experiences with racism prior, this particular moment was different seeing that it was the first of what would then become a daily experience. Everywhere I go now, people call out “Coronavirus,” amongst various racial slurs. While things like that never get easier, I make an effort to forgive these people, as it makes me feel empowered and strong against these attacks. In other words, if I can forgive them, it means they cannot affect me or change how I feel.

Poetry

Paranoia

Ashley, KY

This poem is me trying to present my feelings about Covid-19 in an artistic way. I was attempting to portray fear and paranoia. Then, I tried showing how it’s hitting poor areas harder, the boredom, the outrage, and in general how shook up this made most people.

Poetry

Memo

Amely, FL

“Memo” is a reminder to have a positive outlook to the world affected by Covid. Even though we may feel alone social distancing is needed to protect our friends and family. That’s why I encouraged it in the poem because even though we are apart physically we don’t have to feel or be disconnected. We can always reach out to people we care about through calls or texts. Keeping communication with people can help relieve the feeling of hopelessness when we check up on each other. Soon things will be normal, and this event will just be history to think about. Just a memory.

Psst…

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