The Virus Series
By Nilou Moochhala | September 16, 2020
Since late March 2020, as the unprecedented lockdown/quarantine took effect across the Northeast USA, which has been my home for the past 30 years, I decided to visually document this historic and unparalleled moment in time through a daily journaling project.
“Untitled-The Virus Series, No. 1,” watercolor, 4″x 5″ (2020)
These daily 10-15 minute sketches evolved into The Virus Series. These images would attempt to capture the emotions, movements, political machinations, and societal impact of the COVID-19 virus on myself, my family, my community, my city, my state, and finally, my adopted country.
“Lines-The Virus Series, No. 5,” watercolor, 4″x 5″ (2020)
Since then, it has been 160+ days of continued sketching and cataloging.
“Clusters-The Virus Series, No. 43,” watercolor, 4″x 5″ (2020)
The political, societal, and community-level changes that have occurred from week to week and month to month need to be witnessed and archived for future generations to look back on. How did this strange interruption of life as we know it affect our daily living, schooling, working? How did our local leaders respond to it and how did we, at an individual level, normalize it into our everyday routine?
“Renewal-The Virus Series, No. 47,” watercolor, 4″x 5″ (2020)
“Tears-The Virus Series, No. 120,” watercolor, 4″x 5″ (2020)
Copyright © 2020 Nilou Moochhala
Nilou Moochhala’s visual practice has been channeled into examining issues of cross-cultural change and transformation through collaging and assemblage techniques. Originally from Mumbai (Bombay), she has been inspired to juxtapose found objects, memorabilia, and use of language to create social and political narratives. Moochhala has exhibited in local gallery spaces such as Beacon Gallery, Mosesian Center for the Arts, and Cambridge Art Association, among others. Her Virus Series is being archived as part of pandemic cataloging research at Cornell University and the National Women’s History Museum. She is an award recipient of numerous grants including the Massachusetts Cultural Council and New England Foundation for the Arts.
Hi Nilou: Indeed Imagination to the best …and Awesome! I am really impressed to see the combination of colour and message conveyed through it.
Best wishes!!
What an amazing series!
You have really captured the feelings that we have all been experiencing over the last six months during these trying circumstances.
Thank you!