“Art is an effort to create, besides the real world, a more humane world.” ~ Andre Maurois
Whether it’s painting, photography, music or dance—art in all its forms is a vital part of society. It moulds how people see and interact with others and the world in general. It helps us emotionally, psychologically, and even helps to shape us as individuals. That’s not to mention the enormous financial value the creative industries has to the UK economy, estimated to be £13 million per hour.
The Coronavirus pandemic has hit many industries in the UK and around the world hard, and that includes the creative industries. Yet, despite the importance of the arts, it’s often seen as a more frivolous career choice than others and is therefore not taken as seriously, and often disregarded, seen clearly in the winter economy plan (September 2020) which focuses on ‘viable’ jobs, rather than protecting jobs in a general sense. But when you really think about it, what kept us all sane during times of isolation and lockdown? It was movies and music, magazines and books. These creative formats are what helped us stay afloat and yet they are often treated as a mere hobby and not a prosperous career choice.
Something that seemed to cement this ideology and leave creatives feeling abandoned by the government yet again, was the emergence of the 2019 government campaign to encourage more young people into cybersecurity in October, featuring a ballerina next to the phrase ‘Fatima’s next job could be in cyber (she just doesn’t know it yet)’. Despite this campaign being a year old, the creative community feel that even if the advert pre-dates the pandemic, it only serves to highlight that this has been a long-held attitude of belittlement towards the arts by the government. As Alistair Coleman comments: "In the context of the difficulties facing the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic, it's a sensitive subject. The use of a ballet dancer-seen through the narrow focus of social media-seems dreadfully timed.”
Another issue facing creatives has been the new restrictions to the way we have to work and the closure of spaces like theatres, exhibitions and music venues. With access to fewer resources and the ever-changing working landscape, creatives have had to learn to adapt and become resourceful. Finding new ways to create and display their art.
We contacted a few creatives we love the work of via Instagram to get some different perspectives and a first-person insight into working as an artist during a global pandemic, and how it’s affected their work and mentalities personally.
“Lockdown actually boosted me to create and start a business.”
Illustrator @eden_clifton said-“I would say that I’ve definitely struggled with having ideas to draw as going outside into what was once the real world and socialising helped me come up with concepts and ideas to draw from. I would also say that not being able to go outside made me overwork myself to the max as I live in my workspace and can’t really take a break outside of it. But the benefits were that I had no distractions and was able to fully spend more time and focusing on my work and my business as well as my uni work. Also, lockdown actually boosted me to create and start a business.”
“It seems like in this period I’m looking at things around me through a magnifying glass to realise there is a whole world in the small things I hadn’t noticed before.”
Photographer @stelly.me said-“This period brought me as an artist the gift to look closely at the space I am surrounded by for inspiration. Dreams became more vivid and my inner voice louder, trusting the unknown and also getting to observe my own circles of life, death, life in projects and personal life. It seems like in this period I’m looking at things around me through a magnifying glass to realise there is a whole world in the small things I hadn’t noticed before.”
“I'm still optimistic about the future for artists, I think we will respond and adapt.”
Photographer @unreelcity said-“I know for a lot of artists, lockdown has been a very productive time. Problem-solving is what we do a lot of the time and having a set of restrictions can often stimulate a more creative response. So, in that respect, we may be lucky. Many of us can still create new work and fill our days with activity. However, making the work is only one half of the equation. Art needs an audience and if the art centres, museums and galleries are closed, then we miss out on that important interaction with the work and with those who wish to engage in a dialogue with us. Online interaction can only go so far. The potential reach is phenomenal but the depth and quality are often unsatisfying. I'm still optimistic about the future for artists, I think we will respond and adapt.”
What was inspiring about the responses received, was the sense of hope and positivity that was displayed. It seems that, in the midst of an emergency, creatives can find a silver lining and a way to make the most out of a disheartening situation. It’s so easy to feel unmotivated and discouraged during times like these, yet finding the ability to be open-minded and stay inquisitive and persistent in one's art is perhaps the best way to move forward.
Here is a useful list of resources with help and advice for those in the arts affected by Covid-19: https://www.imastudio.org/c19