Reflections

During the first phases of developing this website, I was unsure of what approach I wanted to take and what I wanted to focus on to display. At first, I thought I wanted to find optimistic news articles and other sources that showed how people are adapting and finding new ways to show affection, make connections, and be happy during such a difficult time. I still think that is very important, and if I could I would still try to collect said sources, but my perspective somewhat changed as COVID-19 became more serious. As time went on, I saw how people, such as essential workers and medical staff, were having completely different experiences during this time. Many people are also struggling to pay their bills and not receiving support from the institutions set in place to help them. During this time, I could see the frustration, concerns, humor, and overall mix of emotions that many people were having. It was then that I found art on Instagram that reflected these societal and systematic concerns. The more art that I found, the more experiences and feelings I could see.

I am a very creative person, and so when I found these online and street art pieces, I knew I found my focus. Not only do these art pieces show a glimpse of the present, but also the beauty and creativity that many people have. These art pieces are a part of history that shows what humans can create and say during a time of distress. To me, art is also a tool for resistance, and I found this in a lot of the pieces I included. Overall, I am very passionate and proud of this exhibit because of the range of topics displayed, and the beauty and strength they all show.