ALONE | together: Self Portraits during the Pandemic is an ongoing online art exhibition curated by the Up Arts Incubator, an art gallery and creative space located just outside of Philadelphia, PA, in the town of Lansdale, PA. Featuring the work of nearly 100 artists from around the world, the art highlighted in this exhibition reveals the ties that bind humanity in the shared experience of mask-wearing, social distancing, and stay-at-home orders. The goal of this show is to create a global visual commentary to document the strange world we find ourselves living in and to make the show accessible to as many artists as possible. To that end, the show required no entry fee and at least one piece of art from every artist was accepted. Though this is an ongoing exhibition, Up Arts Incubator is no longer accepting entries. If you'd like to participate in the show, simply upload your piece to your own social media account and tag Up Arts Incubator. 

To this date, over 100 artists from the following 26 countries have submitted pieces to the show: Sweden, the US, the UK, Israel, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, India, Pakistan, Croatia, Australia, the Phillippines, Scotland, Brazil, Indonesia, Belgium, Romania, Ecuador, Slovenia, Poland, Georgia, France, Greece, and Spain. With over 144 works of art, this show documents the shared global pandemic experience. From the engaging pencil drawing, “Reflection,” by Philip Iroegbu of Nigeria to the explorative, whimsical painting, “Covid Chronicle,” by Susanne Pitak-Davis of the United States, viewers of this online exhibition will hopefully find a piece of art that resonates with their own pandemic experience. Many people may find some part of their own experience captured in UK artist, Skaiste Klaniute’s photographic series, “If I was Edward Hopper.” This series embodies the whole lockdown experience by moving from boredom to despair to reflection. Others may find they relate more to the laid-back vibe of “Lazy Time,” a mixed media piece by Aubane Berthomme Martinez, of the Netherlands. And, some viewers may closely relate to “Mirrored Solitude,” by Delta N.A. of Italy. This oil painting captures the sameness of each day that passes while in sustained isolation.

As Gustav Klimt once said, “Art is a line around your thoughts,” and it is clear that these artists have all clearly put what a lot of the world’s population has been thinking into their art.

You can view the entire art exhibition in the online gallery. In non-Covid times, the Up Arts Incubator, located in Lansdale, PA, is an art gallery and creative space where artists can collaborate, create and show their work. In Covid times, these goals are met in a hybrid form combining online shows with socially distanced ones and the occasional Zoom Happy Art Hour. Learn more about the Up Arts Incubator by browsing the website.