Yesterday, I wrote a letter to our artists on the behalf of ArtChinaUK. The response was overwhelming.
Below is the letter and some of the responses from the artists. I hope, through the art we are sharing, we will bring hope, compassion and love to everyone, especially the people of Wuhan.
“Dear artist friends,
I sincerely wish you good health and that your families are safe and sound during the current outbreak of the new coronavirus.
Through the centuries, artists have been driven by suffering, and hardship inspired the creation of many important works, such as Giovanni’s “The Decameron ” or Picasso’s “Guernica”.
Now, artists are standing with the people of Wuhan, and our hearts go out to those who are struggling with the coronavirus, whether physically or sadly watching family or friends suffering, and to those who are struggling to contain or cure the virus or invent a vaccination.
The sudden outbreak of the disease has not only plunged the Chinese people into panic and suffering, but has also alarmed the world.
At this critical time, ArtChina hopes to collect all artworks, including photos and videos, reflecting this moment in our history. We will organise and publish these pieces as a series of reports on our website and our relevant social media platforms.
We hope to connect the hearts of all mankind, bring attention to what is happening, and reflect and think critically together through your artworks.
I hope to see your work soon. Thank you very much!”
Yan Qi, a Chinese artist who lives in Dusseldorf, Germany, said, “I communicate with China every day and crave good news. I paint the most romantic pictures every day to comfort my restless heart! I hope China gets out of the epidemic soon. Chinese people will be in peace and happiness in the New Year.”
Hou Weiguo, a PhD student at the Central Academy of Fine Art, Beijing, replied: “Hello Miss Liu, Thank you very much for your invitation. I have been considering how to create a work which reflects these days in China, but I don’t want to paint a simple work, such as Mr. Zhong Nanshan’s portrait (who discovered the SARS coronavirus in 2003), so I am in my deep thoughts. If I have a good idea, I will share it with you as soon as possible! Thank you very much!”
We invite all artists who are using their artwork as an outlet for critical reflection or portrayal of the ongoing crisis surrounding the coronavirus to submit work to be included in our series. Please contact Aimin Liu at aimin@artchinauk.com.
Below are two examples of work that have already been submitted: a painting by Zhu Kecheng, and Zhu Jianhui’s “Smiling Face, Believe in Victory”.
