Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times

Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times

Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times

Caning Jaramillo

Finally, my wife has allowed me to take a turn and tell one of my tales from the pandemic. You may have already seen her edible balcony, indoor gardening and coping strategies articles, as well as expat stories about quarantine around the world and staying sane over the pandemic. Well, now I have been offered a little space to share some of my lockdown anecdotes.

For me, increased time spent at home and limited options to leave could have quite easily made the daily routine too predictable. Isolation and lack of social interaction might have taken a toll and turned into boredom. However, we are not ones to lie down without a fight. Instead, we found ways to keep life at home not only interesting but inspiring.

Aesthetics in our home became a critical pillar to consider. With no time outside for work, restaurant and social visits, even exercise and travel, the four walls surrounding us suddenly had increased significance.

Art to Lift Your Spirits

My coping strategy became focusing more time on art, creating my own and displaying colourful pieces from our South American collection. Creating a beautiful environment gave a sense of calm and moments of joy to behold amongst difficulties. It supported our ability to stay positive despite the current circumstances.

When we lived in Venezuela, we ran a home art gallery, supporting charities and funding local artists. The experience of providing a platform for young talent and up and coming artists was enriching. We brought a good part of our private collection to Malaysia when we moved and had the fortune to receive new pieces from the now well-known artists as they have grown in their careers.

In our early days in Malaysia, we continued promoting these artists with the help of local businesses, embassies and some of Malaysia’s top art purveyors. Unfortunately, things have gotten tougher in Venezuela. So much so that I have not been back for over half a decade.

In our last cultural event, supported by the Embassy of Venezuela in Malaysia, we brought a talented abstract artist, Tony Palacios and some of his key pieces to Kuala Lumpur. Tony returned home, but many of his works stayed on. It’s these that we have been using to change up our home environment.

However, it’s time to bid farewell to some of these paintings, not only to enable us to downsize our home but to provide an income for an artist who is not doing so well in his native home. With an inflation rate of 5500%, all savings are lost, and people are struggling to survive. If you are interested in enhancing your home’s aesthetic while at the same time supporting a deserving artist, WhatsApp me on +60129152919.

Venezuelan Artist Tony Palacios
Works of Venezuelan Artist Tony Palacios
Venezuelan Artist Tony Palacios
Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times
Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times
Works of Venezuelan Artist Tony Palacios
Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times
Art to Lift Your Spirits in Challenging Times

Read how several expats have been staying sane during the pandemic here and check out a few of the things I’ve been doing over the pandemic such as indoor gardening, setting up edible balcony plots, and my own pandemic coping strategies. Also, stay up-to-date with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations for Malaysia here and here.

5 Comments

  1. I love that Amega de Venus. Very abstract.

  2. Art is a good way to make us feel alive
    and help us to see something good happening in our world.
    Art is really universal, any race can appreciate art.

    This is a nice post.

    Ann

  3. Bellos cuadros que despiertan el animo y te llenan de alegria con su colorido

  4. I enjoy the vibrant colours and the modern take on ideas.

    They wouldn’t fit in my own home but in my minds eye I can see them in their perfect locations.

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