Without any warning, we were surprised with challenges that have never happened simultaneously around the world affecting public health, social and economic. The outcome of COVID-19 was so huge that it was felt by every individual despite the differences in their ages and background.
On 18th March 2020, S.C photographed the view of Kuala Lumpur which has now become dead, a bizarre occurrence for a city that never sleeps. He described it as an eerie experience.
Road that are usually filled with people along Sultan Abdul Samad Building quiet down by 4:30 p.m on the first day MCO, 2020
S.C Shekar
2020, Photography
Museum, gallery and performing space were closed down causing every art and culture related event to be postponed. Most artists had lost their chances to make a performance and exhibited their art. However, it didn’t break down their spirit to continue making art.
In this environment filled with uncertainty and constraint, Haslin Ismail had sketched a bread world that was full of colourful loaves with a variety of characters by only using colouring pencils. The loaves appear to be combined into a ‘canvas’ for him to bring his imagination to life.
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A Gathering
Haslin Ismail
2020, Coloring pencil on paper, 42 x 59cm
According to Adeputra Masri, when MCO was started to be implemented, he had lost the supply to create an artwork. After a while, he decided to create comic illustration for entertainment that was made using a pen which was then digitised. It can be seen through his Facebook sharing that most people enjoyed the comic and are anticipating the next episode. ‘Kopikartun Edisi Khas PKP’ told a story on recent issues, actions and activities among family members during MCO.
Kopikartun Edisi Khas PKP
Adeputra Masri
2020, Digital
Through the artwork produced by Al-Khuzairie titled ‘Circle of Change’ which used ceramic as the main medium, he moulded emoticons that are commonly used in nowadays communication in which these emoticons are arranged to shape a heart and by its side, he used the latest emoticons that are related to health which depict the pandemic world that are currently dependent on the health institution.
Circle of Change
Al-Khuzairie Ali
2020, Ceramic and mixed media, 105 × 103 cm
Before, we focused more on the hustle and bustle of the city with diverse community activities but during the pandemic we are more centred at home. The nature are slowly healing as it slowly blooming and cascadingly growing including the river that are beginning to clear due to the reducement of human activities especially during the first phase of MCO. Like Donald Abraham’s digital art, it shows the excitement of community activities compared to the excitement of nature.
Untitled
Donald Abraham
2021, Digital
We can slowly see and go through the effect of the pandemic especially toward the economy from various sectors. There are many that have lost their source of income due to the closing of sectors that are not categorised as Non-Primary sector. Visual from Hasnoor Hussain in Pulau Redang, most of the locals had changed their focus from tourism which they had mainly depended on before to agriculture to continue their life.
Redang folk turn to farming to survive pandemic
Hasnoor Hussain
2021, Photography, Courtesy: The Malaysian Insight
Looking from long-term effect, separation and social distancing could give a huge impact toward physiological health, productivity and behavior. If we were to be reminded of the moment of the attack of COVID-19, it was when we were so close to giving up. However, after coming out with a good strategy and taking control measures, almost all economic sectors are able to rebound and move along to an endemic phase with the relaxation of the Standard Operational Procedure (SOP). This has also contributed to the increment of the vaccination rate in every country.
In whatever plan and situation ahead of us, we still have to take precautionary measures for the sake of our health and safety. Even though we might have to continue living with COVID-19 for a very long time, we still need to hold our heads high to increase our living standard, family and the society in the new norms situation that has become a part of our daily lifestyle.
