Back in what we now call normal times, we took a look at some of the most prolific Romanian illustrators, focusing on their representation and interpretation of folklore. As times change, and we are facing a new normal, confinement and social distancing imposed by the coronavirus outbreak give way to a shift in artists’ focus and preoccupations.
Hoping for the best, we will eventually go back to galleries and concert halls—not to mention essentials like jobs or even parks—but meanwhile, let’s take a look at how a handful of Romanian artists and content creators are responding to the current reality. From reading all those books and working from home to worrying about their loved ones and keeping up to date, here it is.
Art in the time of coronavirus
In a series of illustrations, Dan Ungureanu focuses on the challenges brought by juggling work from home, staying informed, and looking after a four-year-old.
And a mother’s perspective. Alexia Udriște’s illustration was featured in an article depicting how mothers handle working from home and homeschooling. As a work-from-home mother herself, she is utterly aware of all the struggles.
Titled simply #quarantine, Aitch gives voice to our fears these days as well as ways of coping with confinement, in a rather gloomy series (we can totally relate).
On a completely opposite and colourful note, Yanna Zosmer focused on fun activities to do inside, like reading and colouring.
Irina Perju chose to concentrate on risk and vulnerability, as they are such an important part of the crisis.
Visual artist Dan Perjovschi, renowned for his social and political commentaries on current events, brings to the table both the serious and the humorous sides of the situation.

In an attempt to provide comic relief for all of us stuck inside these days, artist Vlad Nancă started a series of art-inspired memes on his insta stories.

Bucharest resident of Malaysian origin, Tuan Nini, though accustomed to working from home for many years, provides us with a funny series of illustrations depicting all the things she would have done if only…
Julien Britnic, wordsmith extraordinaire, is, as usual, more than comfortable with wordplays.
Last but not least, during this troubled time, when most us are zooming with our loved ones in an attempt to keep connected, Mădălina Andronic imagines a festive Romanian Easter lunch most of us will only be dreaming of.
Featured image: Sharon McCutcheon / Unsplash