Letter No. 18 [quarantine collection part II]
Dear Friend,
After quarantine started, I wanted to somehow document our experiences. I knew this year, and specifically these past few months, would be in the history books, and I wanted to remember our experiences in a personal way.
Hence, my Quarantine Collection, an abstract art collection of long-neck people living under quarantine conditions. I already shared the inspiration behind the first two pieces, but wanted to share about the other five.
// Don’t Get Too Close //
Once quarantine orders were in place, I saw a shift in how individuals interacted with one another. I know many were led by fear, but there was a feeling of hostility at the few essential locations left open. We had to start thinking about our communication and interaction in ways we never had to before. When a handshake or a hug would have been appropriate before, we stayed our distance instead, and tried to smile with our eyes and speak in muffled voices through our masks. No one wanted to infect anyone else with this virus that seemed to have taken over the world.
// Alone //
I was quarantine with seven other people, and still experienced weeks of sadness and lack of motivation to do anything, but that is nothing compared to those who were forced to be quarantined alone. Did their loved ones and communities reach out to them? I hope so, but I am sure many did not, and I want those individuals who were alone to know their bravery and resilience for persevering through the long months of quarantine.
// Nurse //
The images of nurses and doctors with blisters and lines on their faces from their masks left a deep impression on me, and my quarantine collection would not be complete without a piece holding these heroes high. Thank you, to the health professionals and essential workers who put their lives on the line for their communities every day.
// Walker //
One wonderful aspect of quarantine was everyone getting outside. Families walked, individuals jogged and biked, people worked on their gardens and yards. There were so many walks that were taken. Some of my favorite were the evening walks I took up and down our street by the glow of the street lamps, the chilly air clearing my head.
// Prayer //
As believers, our family prays together before the meal every evening, and to protect my grandfather who lives with us, we quit the habit of holding hands as we prayed during quarantine. I never thought about this small action and the connection it gave, but it was something I longed for while we did not practice it.
I hope to someday look back and remember these times—the good and the bad—through this small collection of paintings, and I hope others can do the same. As our communities resume “normalcy,” may we not forget the freedom and connection we have now that we had to give up during this time, and those who protected us and provided for us.
Tara