Pandemic Drawings
colored pencil
2021
Inspiration for my drawings typically comes from contemplation of nature and spirituality; rarely do I directly address current events, either personal or societal. But the coronavirus pandemic changed life as we knew it. It revealed the injustices, inequities, and toxic polarization lurking in our way of life. But at the same time, it reminded us of the things we do and should value most: our interdependence with all of humanity and with the natural world. I was moved to create these drawings which explore how much we need each other.
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| COVID Nevermore |
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The ubiquitous image of a single COVID-19 virion was the catalyst for this drawing. Thanks to Edgar Allen Poe, ravens give us a sense of foreboding and doom. Their shape also echoes that of the medieval plague doctors who wore bird-shaped masks hoping to avoid contagion. But in some cultures, ravens possess healing power–the role of these ravens who are starting to dismantle the virion. The plants in the corners–desert parsley, coneflower, coltsfoot, feverfew–are traditional folk remedies for fevers and respiratory disorders.
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In Memory of a Gentle Soul |
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A dear friend’s unexpected death in the midst of the pandemic (although unrelated to it) compounded the sense of loss and isolation. The drawing celebrates some of her favorite things.
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| A Prayer for Justice and Compassion |
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Tragic events during the pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. The hardworking and persistent woodpecker illustrates the diligence necessary to achieve tolerance and justice. Their hammering motion represents the relentless message of justice. The message of justice must be handed down to each subsequent generation. The bleeding-heart flower symbolizes compassion and the periwinkle, friendship. Candles, represented by the yellow candle plant, are consumed in the same way that compassionate people wear themselves out in service to others. |
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| Quarantine |
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During the pandemic, we were isolated; each in our own small pod of family, house, and yard. The birds are those common backyard birds with which we shared our quarantine. The plants symbolize what we experienced: columbines represent anxiety; Carolina jasmine, separation; ice plant, idleness and boredom; touch-me-nots, our fear of being too close to others; forget-me-nots, how much we missed each other. The blue sky in the center is the light at the end of the tunnel that we wait for. |
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| Hope for a Better Normal |
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As we gradually emerge from the pandemic and its series of variants, we must define what we want our new normal to be. The rooster and sunflower represent the hope of a new day. The plants symbolize the virtues and qualities we should cultivate in support of the common good. The pomegranate signifies compassion; the pineapple, hospitality and welcome; sweet peas, fortitude and truth; chestnuts, justice; peace lily, peace; flame lily, knowledge and understanding; monarch caterpillars and butterflies, transformation. The Celtic braid indicates the interconnectedness of all creatures. |
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©2021 Mary Lee Eggart
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