Spring In The Time Of Coronavirus

My name's Samantha Mima and I'm a 28-year-old artist from Poland. I create paintings and make-ups.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then, my social life has begun to fall down. Everyday responsibilities overwhelmed me, so that I was unable to live a normal life. My apartment became my whole world and art was the only way to escape from extreme emotions. I created mainly paintings, but then I realized make-up art can also be a way of expression.

My passion for art first revealed itself when I was a little girl. I used to paint my eyes and face with colorful markers and pastels. These small beginnings led me to the decision I made as an adult - to become a make-up artist. Art classes at school were my favorite ones, so I chose artistic studies and graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. The basics I learnt helped me develop my own taste and unique style. Initially, my workshop was limited to prevailing trends and standard techniques. As I became more experienced, I began to seek new inspirations and challenging ideas. I started reaching further to character make-up which turned out to be my thing.

Now, when my artistic nature and my restless soul, controlled by the disorder, need to resound, I find my escape in art. As I grab my brushes and faces become my canvas, the timid girl inside me turns into a bold artist. This is my way to feel at peace with myself.

When doing the make-up, I use a lot of different materials and items, most of which are common things I guess everyone has at home. It's all about the imagination!

 

The present isolation due to coronavirus pandemic has affected me harshly, making me feel depressed and melancholy. People became prisoners of their own houses and life got stuck. The world has been surrounded by fear and chaos.

Personally, I always considered spring the most beautiful season; full of life, joy, colours and warmth. But this time, I was struck by the vision of spring: so insecure, devastated, full of fear and waste. The concept inspired my recent make-up which tells the story of Spring during the pandemic. She's fading away, unaprecciated and unnoticed. Instead of green leaves and flower buds, the world grows COVID-19 marked with tones of plastic bags, disposable masks and gloves. Spring is no longer what she was meant to be.

In the photos you can see my artistic interpretation of the situation we're facing. I presented 3 stages of Spring affected by the pandemic and touched with quarantine:

Stage one, called Insecurity, presents Spring who's trying to be beautiful, sunny and happy, but she's all confused now. Little does she know what the future brings, just like a person who's just found out about the coronavirus threat.

Stage two, named Loneliness, shows Spring who's sinking into oblivion, sad and weeping, because no one is there. She's wearing a heavy chain instead of glorious golden necklace, black tears are running down her cheeks. Although the sun doesn't shine on her face anymore, her eyes are closed - she refuses to watch the world suffering. It's a metaphor of people locked in their houses, looking at the world through the window, missing their relatives and friends, longing for freedom.

Stage three, Fear, depicts Spring wearing a mask. Her face is still covered in black tear drops, there's no hope at all. Hidden under the mask, she's no longer beautiful. She can't smile, talk or breathe freely. What's supposed to provide safety, turns out to be a burden. She's heart-broken, numb with fear, and also surrounded by darkness. It's a picture of people who not only suffer from necessary limitations and solitude, but also fear for the lives of their families. It's a symbol of humanity lost in the present pandemic situation.

 

I hope you enjoyed my 3-picture story To see some other works of mine, including various styles of make-up and other forms of artistic interpretation, please visit:

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Samantha-Make-Up-Art-501562886962989/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_make_up_art/

 

Stay safe

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