From Edvard Munch reflecting on the Spanish flu to Keith Haring on AIDS epidemic, artists have always played vital roles expressing the human condition. This week, Juxtapoz introduces “Art in Uncertain Times,” a new series of studio interviews (or virtual visits, to be precise), to show how artists around the globe are adapting to a global (dis)order and the challenge to our current lives. We’ll give you a peek at how daily customs are adjusted and new routines arise. Today we bring an exclusive look into a day in the life of Spanish painter, Sebas Velasco.
Straight from his winter holidays, Velasco returned to his home in seaside San Sebastián in the Basque Country, just as the whole nation of Spain abruptly went into lockdown. Acclimatizing to the situation around him, he quickly readjusted to guidelines and sent us this photo documentary of a typical day in the life of a painter in Spain in 2020 —Sasha Bogojev
"I normally split my day in two. I work in the morning, go back home for lunch (sometimes a small siesta) and go back to work in the afternoon. These days I have to prepare a sandwich to avoid the extra journey, now that everyone should stay indoors.
“The feeling of almost empty streets in the morning is super weird. The local bar where we normally have a coffee is obviously closed so I fill the fridge with premade coffees.
“Once working in the studio I can paint normally, perhaps a little bit less concentrated. Still, I feel super lucky to be able to work. I'm also feeling lucky for having Internet access there, so I can listen to the radio, speak to the other painters, or even take language lessons via skype. Music helps a lot, too!
"When coming back at night the strange feeling in the streets remains. Once at home, we applaud the health service and other public workers. Then we have some dinner and watch a movie. Giving up football and bars seems possible (for now)." —Sebas Velasco
