Art is Demonstrating its Resilience Despite the Crisis
These past few months have forced many industries to shutdown and suffer immediate financial losses. Like many others, the art industry has been greatly affected by the spread of COVID-19 causing museums, galleries, exhibits, fairs, festivals, installations and more to either close or postpone to a later date.
Even though many cultural institutions and artists are facing uncertainty, art is bringing people together during this difficult time. Art provides an outlet to keep us together even though we are physically apart due to social distancing.
Distance Does not Mean Disconnect
With social distancing rules in effect, artists globally are required to adjust to a new environment if they are not able to work in their studio space. Social distancing may help artists come up with new ideas and push them to go inside and connect from within because they have more alone time to think. Our artists at AmFab have been adjusting seamlessly to the mandatory shelter-in-place order and have been making the best of the situation.
Take a look at what AmFab artist Jocelyn Braxton has been up to:
For over 20 years, Jocelyn has been working with porcelain, but recently has switched to working with red clay and layering surface treatments because of a workshop she attended. Prior to the pandemic, she wanted to explore this method more in-depth and planned to continue working on her project “Lost and Found”. Even with the pandemic, Jocelyn has made great strides on this project which is now her Pandemic Project. This project will be showed at a residency at Buffalo Creek Arts Center in Nevada in July 2021. Check out progress on her Pandemic Project here on her Instagram: @jbarmstrongceramics
AmFab artist Thomas Mezzanotte:
During the pandemic, Thomas has continued to create remarkable tintypes to go along with his large collection such as "Portrait of The Artist in the Age of Coronavirus".
AmFab artist Richard Killeaney
The pandemic certainly has not stopped Richard from crafting his beautiful quilts. He has been teaching classes online since lockdown orders and recently completed a quilt for a client, made of the client’s and her husband’s shirts. Now he has moved onto a few other custom orders that will be made from neck ties and repurposed leather tote bags. Richard has additionally used his skills to create masks for friends, artists and donates the rest to those in need.
The Importance of Staying Connected While Self-Isolating
Now is the perfect time to discover new ways to communicate and express your creativity. Take advantage of the peacefulness and turn this pandemic into a positive. Art allows you to process your emotions and helps you remain connected to the world and yourself.
Follow AmFab on Facebook and Instagram to connect with our brand and artists digitally and to discover new art created during the pandemic. Find out more ways AmFab artists have been remaining connected to society and their communities through art.
You can find a listing of our artists and their contact information here.