Virtual art exhibition portrays a colourful perspective of Covid-19
Some of the best art created during the pandemic…
Face masks, paintings, photographs, sculptures, a boarding pass – these are some of the things that you can find at the Covid-19 Exhibit launched by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
The virtual showcase, which will run for two years, is a display of mementoes and a collection of thoughts, memories and reflections on the pandemic experience by people from across the globe. It features carefully selected pieces, such as everyday items that helped people cope during this turbulent period.
On display, there’s a series of artworks, a ball of yarn and knitting needle, cooking utensils, a PlayStation controller, and a personal library, where the submitter renewed his love of reading and learning, among other objects.
Some of our favourites include ‘The Quarantine Pallet’ by Khaled Alhaider and the ‘Letter Drawing’ by Alhassan Mohammed, in which the artist used free-style Arabic letters and words to form an image.
Through telling personal Covid-19 stories, the Covid-19 Exhibit provides a universal snapshot of how humanity has dealt with and continues to grapple with what has become our new reality amidst a unique moment of global solidarity. The exhibition puts the effects of the coronavirus on ourselves and our relationships with objects into perspective while also connecting cultures and creating dialogue through international participation.
Farah Abushullaih, Ithra curator and head of Ithra museum, shared, “Art is about connecting people through culture, but we connect maybe even more easily through common objects.”
She added, “A year into the global health crisis, the Covid-19 Exhibit is an opportunity for the global community to reflect on this complicated and difficult time and tell our pandemic stories.”
Ithra received hundreds of submissions worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Australia, USA, Egypt, Germany, UK and more. Out of those, a collection of 270 pieces was curated for the Covid-19 Exhibit.
Visit: ithra.com
Images: Website