Hardship-Inspired Creativity: Our Favorite Artistic Expressions From The COVID-19 Pandemic

It’s been said by many that times of hardship, crisis, and adversity are the times that inspire the most beauty and an overall increase in creative output from artists of all kinds. It’s certainly not a new concept – even this year Adobe and Artwork Archive have mused on how the pandemic has affected artists creatively.

And it’s true. Throughout human history, some of the greatest periods of creative output and artistic innovation have coincided with periods of hardship. During the Great Plague, Sir Isaac Newton created the Theory of Gravity. WWI inspired the Dada art movement. And from the period of the Great Depression and WWII came the thriving Golden Age of Hollywood.

So it’s not surprising that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen artists creating a steady stream of memorable, beautiful, and poignant works. Dancers, sculptors, designers, musicians, singers, photographers, painters, makers, and actors have been coming out of the woodwork with their creations, and we’ve been all for it.

As a collective, Duet Design Group has been impressed, inspired, and moved by the many artistic expressions we’ve seen this year. So we’ve collected a few of our favorites to share here, and hope they inspire just as much joy and creativity in others as they did with us… Enjoy!

 

Boxing Nurse Mural

Coronavirus-themed murals have popped up around the world, but our favorite was right here in Denver, Colorado on East Colfax. Artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler painted a boxing nurse with angel wings to honor the healthcare workers battling the virus.

Austin Zucchini-Fowler Mural_Bobbi Sheldon_Photo_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group
Mural by Austin Zucchini-Fowler, photo by Bobbi Sheldon

 

#OurGreatIndoors
We were also incredibly inspired by what travel photographer Erin Sullivan created in her own house with her project #OurGreatIndoors – constructing stunning miniature landscapes made from everyday household items.

Erin Outdoors Instagram_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group

 

Featured Artists Through YouTube

One of the art galleries we work with – Walker Fine Art Gallery – started a YouTube channel during the pandemic to get messages out about art and artists that she represents. We love art and the emotions it helps to convey in a home or space, so this was an especially wonderful thing be born from this difficult period.

Featured Artist on Youtube Duet Design Group

Graze & Provisions Artisan Charcuterie

@grazeandprovisions features artisan charcuterie and grazing boards. With COVID-19, this creator was feeling very busy and stressed at work. Her industry picked up while the rest of the world was slowing down, so she found an outlet through beautiful food. Charcuterie boards are also a creative way for quarantined people to still gather and enjoy a “dining” experience within their own home. Her boards are like art – delicious art.

Graze and Provisions Instagram_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group

 

 

Hearts in the Window”, “A World of Hearts”, etc.

Around the globe, several movements popped up to encourage people – especially children – to put hearts in their windows. It was a beautiful way to “Spread the Love, Not the Germs,” and Inside Stories by Duet Design Group designer Rachel Vanek and her kiddos actually participated. “It really helped us! It gave us something bright and beautiful to look at each day (and people driving/walking by loved it as well!). We put the hearts up March 28th and just took them down last weekend. It was a beautiful scene that came out of the craziness.”

Hearts in the Window_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group

 

3D Artist Paul Milinski’s Retro Futuristic Dreamscapes

Insanely inspiring and calming. Talk about much needed escapism!

Paul Milinski Instagram_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group
Artist: Paul Milinski

 

Hamilton on Zoom

Actor John Krasinski launched the ‘Some Good News’ program, and featured the cast of Hamilton in a Zoom performance for a little girl whose performance was cancelled. Just try to watch this without tearing up!

Youtube_Duet Design Group

A Lesson in Resilience

Manyang Reath Kher, former Sudanese refugee now living in the U.S. created a comic style piece to illustrate how he made it through his moment of deepest despair. A lesson in resilience for everyone during this difficult time.

Manyang Reath Kher Comic_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group

Credit: Manyang Reath Kher

 

Mask Art


Masks have appeared in art in cheeky and clever ways since the start of the pandemic. We love the humor and subversive attitude conveyed in these pieces.Tatsuya Tanaka and Hayati Evren_OUR FAVORITE ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC_Duet Design Group

Credit: Tatsuya Tanaka and Hayati Evren

 

Swan Lake Bath Ballet

Ballet dancers around the world filmed themselves performing haunting choreography in their bathtubs to the main theme from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. It was another innovative piece born from the need to social distance.

swan lake ballet facebook video duet design group