Representations of the Corona Pandemic in Contemporary Arab Art

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to study the representations of the Corona pandemic in contemporary Arab visual art and its impact. The study addresses questions such as: How did Arab artists adapt during the pandemic? How did the structure of Arab art change in terms of form, content, and the process of artistic creation during the pandemic? What elements inspired Arab artists in expressing the pandemic in their artworks?

Methods: The research follows a descriptive-analytical approach by observing and analyzing artworks created by nine artists from different Arab countries (Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Morocco, and Iraq) who were active during the pandemic.

Results: The Corona pandemic had a significant impact on Arab visual art, leading to shifts in subject matter and the process of artistic creation. Arab artists adapted by utilizing available techniques and colors during lockdowns and distancing themselves from their professional environments. They drew inspiration from everyday elements representing the pandemic, such as masks, medical gloves, and their artistic diaries visually narrating their experiences during the pandemic.

Conclusion: The Corona pandemic had profound implications for contemporary Arab art in terms of form and content in artworks produced during and after the pandemic. It is crucial to further investigate the impact of changes in the artistic creation process during the pandemic in contemporary Arab art.