ARTISTS ISLAND WIDE RESPOND TO COVID-19
This year will go down in history. The COVID-19 era will be remembered not only for the plague and its detrimental consequences, but also for initiatives taken by artists around the world to bring us closer despite social distancing. From balcony concerts, at-home performances streamed live on social media to read-a-book initiatives and even an increase in interest in the culinary arts to virtual exhibitions and digital museums, art has inherently taken over the hearts, minds and souls of each individual amid this wretched crisis. ARTRA has, since its inception advocated for the vitality and significance of artistic expression from culture to chaos and their latest initiative, is profoundly created and innovated to celebrate artists and their imaginative prowess.
Through the launch of ARTRA’S Artist Challenge in early April, which began as a drive on social media in encouraging artist to share their works and nominate their peers in doing so too, sowed the seeds across artists from all around the island to participate in responding to their own reflections of this pandemic. In doing so, ARTRA brings new meaning to a canvas of works by multiple artists in showcasing each artist’s experience of isolation. This canvas curated ARTRA will come in a myriad form, beginning from dedicated online showcase to print, exhibition in the months to come. In conversation,
Editor-in-chief Azara Jaleel stated ““The arts is of critical importance right now on many levels, primarily for its ability to invoke reflections within each individual. This is what humanity has missed during its rigorous and irresponsible growth trajectory, which ultimately caused this pandemic. Engaging with the arts through making music to dance to painting, provides solace, awakens curiosity and allows us to be in the moment with our thoughts and feelings. It reminds us of our essential humanity.
Artists engage with their thoughts on a daily basis in this fashion,
We believe the ARTRA canvas will shed light to interesting perspectives the nation and the world needs to hear. In fact.we have been thoroughly impressed with the submission we have received thus far”
The guidelines and criterion lead you to a new concept, a never before seen endeavour that caters to artists across the island and the people of this nation. In this process, ARTRA is paving way for intriguing interpretations and engaging visual themes, healing and comprehension. ARTRA’S canvas will showcase not only the ideas and nuances of an artist conscious but fundamental practices that voice out the truth behind a thought, the essence of a brushstroke and definition of a single colour, each with a distinct meaning. The ARTRA Canvas will pose unsaid questions and answer those that exist within one’s subconscious.