By Lee Rui Ping, Marian (left) and Sarvatmika Rajeev, Graduating MA Art Therapy Trainees
Singapore

Introduction

Outbreak Art is initiated by two graduating MA Art Therapy trainees, Lee Rui Ping Marian and Sarvatmika Rajeev, from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore, in response to the global pandemic. In Singapore, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our lives. Social distancing measures have been implemented, work and school arrangements have been affected, and there are reports on new cases of COVID-19 every few hours. Some of us know people who were infected, quarantined, or working in the healthcare sectors. There is a general atmosphere of fear, worry, isolation and anxiety.

Despite this, there are encouraging stories of strength and resilience, and of people helping one another. As MA art therapy trainees, we believe that human beings possess innate creativity that can help us through this difficult period. This belief inspired Outbreak Art, a 2-part project. Part 1 was conducting a 2-hour open art studio session on March 23, 2020 at LASALLE College of the Arts. We invited our peers who signed up for the session to create visual and creative reflective responses to COVID-19.

Initially, a second session was planned to be conducted on March 30, 2020. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled due to tightening social distancing measures. We were not discouraged and started Part 2, sending a call-out to our peers to provide submissions digitally. Our peers rose to the occasion, creating art responses in their homes to contain, express and explore their emotions and thoughts on COVID-19. In the following segments, we present to you Outbreak Art responses from our peers. All participants gave consent for their artworks to be photographed and published. We hope to convey how COVID-19 has impacted our lives and how we have turned to creativity and art to re-centre our lives. We also desire to spread our well-wishes globally and inspire readers with the motivation to respond creatively with their own messages to COVID-19.

In times of a global crisis, people have come together to support one another on a digital platform. Limitations of time and space have been overcome as people reach out and connect to each other across continents. The resilience in meeting these challenges and ensuring safe-practices have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Looking through these responses, the viewers are invited to respond in creative manners within their own homes. This allows people to share their stories and find new ways to connect with other individuals globally.

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