International artist Joni Zavitsanos’ “LIVING ICONS: A Commemoration of the Victims of Houston’s Covid-19 Pandemic” will be on display this October 2021 – May 2022(update) at the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science in Houston.
Ms. Zavitsanos said of this exhibit:
“This Project and the creative catalyst it generated found its way to my heart as I watched news story after news story reporting deaths in the various counties around the city of Houston. I was deeply troubled by the anonymity of these victims. Towards the end of March 2020, shortly after the lockdown, I began searching for names and families of Houston area victims of COVID-19 so that I could personally and individually honor them. I have chosen to depict them in a large-scale, gridded art piece and plan to gather their families to host a memorial service to open what I hope to be an extended presence for this installation.
After thousands of hours of research and work in my home studio, I have secured over 400 names and photos, a fraction of the total number of lives lost to date in the Houston and surrounding counties to date. Many of these families were not allowed to be at the deathbed of their loved ones, nor were they allowed to host a proper funeral, and the hurt and pain experienced by all runs deep. That is why I believe that a memorial service, along with this lasting tribute honoring loved ones lost are essential for healing.”
Private family memorial and opening reception for the public to be announced soon.