2020: Uninvited Unknown

The Concept

The project is based on memory of that strange Spring 2020.

“2020: Uninvited Unknown” is a reflection on the collective trauma, resilience, and the ephemeral nature of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collection of abstract paintings is my response to the invisible yet pervasive force that swept across the globe, leaving behind a trail of grief, loss, and uncertainty. Each piece in this collection is a visual meditation on the unseen struggles and the silent battles fought by millions.

The pandemic was an uninvited guest, creeping into our lives without warning, and yet, it united us in our shared vulnerability. It stripped away the familiar, leaving us to confront the unknown in solitude. Through these paintings, I sought to capture the essence of that experience—the chaos and confusion, the isolation and despair, but also the flickers of hope and the strength found in our shared humanity.

In creating these works, I abandoned traditional forms and narratives, opting instead for a raw, visceral approach. The colors, textures, and forms are meant to evoke emotions rather than depict reality. Each brushstroke is a testament to the fragility of life and the unpredictability of the future. The layers of paint represent the layers of emotions we have all felt—grief, fear, anger, and ultimately, acceptance.

“2020: Uninvited Unknown” is not just a tribute to those we lost, but also a reminder of our resilience. It is an invitation to reflect on our own experiences during this unprecedented time, to acknowledge the pain, but also to find beauty in our capacity to endure and to hope.

 

The Creation

I decided to create large abstract paintings expressing the emotions of going through the COVID-19 virus, reflecting on the situation in this country, where possibly less people would die if the circumstances had been considered more sensibly.

I went for the bold strokes of black acrylics on canvas, and the limited palette of blue, pink and yellow ochre oil paints and cold wax, also using various materials for mark making such as oil sticks, markers, pencils, and monoprinting.

The lockdown also brought us a chance and time for some reconsidering of the values, the relationships, the need for communication; for some it brought new ideas and the new beginning. I expressed that too in my paintings.

Here there are the paintings.

I was also aimed to create some abstract sculptures to closely accompany the paintings, expressing the feel for the lock-down, but sadly had just a limited amount of time for this project, so saved the idea for another project.

However, later I found out that the impact the painting created was emotionally strong enough and that it worked without the sculptures and additional installations. 

Here are the paintings in more detail.

Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19

The Venue

I have found an interesting venue for the exhibition, the Institute of Contemporary Art. We had a group PPD project 2 years ago and became familiar with the place.

The building is quite old, and really is in need for some renovation in a few rooms.  But the institution is aimed to attract and display contemporary art. In a way, that’s the place where the old meets new. 

If to consider that the virus situation among all those negative things brought some new views, new ideas, and new life and new beginnings, there could not be better venue for my exhibition “2020: Uninvited Unknown”.

Introduction to the Exhibition

Welcome to “2020: Uninvited Unknown” an exhibition dedicated to the memory of those who suffered or died during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collection of abstract paintings invites you to step into a world shaped by the profound and complex emotions that defined the year 2020—a year marked by an invisible adversary that altered our lives in ways we are still coming to understand.

As you move through this space, you will encounter a series of visual expressions that do not seek to illustrate the pandemic in literal terms, but rather to evoke the emotional landscape it created. The abstract nature of these works encourages personal interpretation and introspection. Each piece is a window into the artist’s internal response to the chaos and uncertainty that swept across the globe, and through them, you are invited to explore your own emotional responses.

This exhibition is more than a remembrance; it is a space for collective healing and reflection. It acknowledges the pain and loss we have endured, but it also celebrates the resilience and solidarity that emerged in the face of adversity. The works on display are intentionally abstract, allowing each viewer to find their own meaning, their own connection to the events that have touched us all.

We hope that “2020: Uninvited Unknown” will serve as a poignant reminder of this moment in history, and as a space where we can come together, not just to mourn what was lost, but to honor the strength and hope that continue to carry us forward.
 

I decided to put a triptych of the large 3 x 3 meters paintings, floating together in the front room, 9 meters long in total.

Placement

In the front room I decided to put a triptych of 3 large 3 x 3 meters paintings, floating together, 9 meters long. The triptych emphasises the emotions people had going through the deadly COVID-19 virus and all that physical, emotional and even mental pain they experienced, and the danger the virus brought to our life.

Ludmila Muravjova the exhibition 2020:Uninvited Unknown

In other three rooms I put 7 large 2 x 2 meters paintings on the walls. 

Here are the rooms views.

Ludmila Muravjova abstract paintings on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract painting on COVID-19
Ludmila Muravjova abstract paintings on COVID-19

Exhibition Announcement for Galleries News

Title: “2020: Uninvited Unknown”

Dates: September, 2021

Location: Institute of Contemporary Art

Curator: Ilona Morton

Artist: Ludmila Muravjova

The Institute of Contemporary Art is honored to present “2020: Uninvited Unknown”, a powerful and evocative exhibition by Ludmila Muravjova, curated by Ilona Morton. This collection of abstract paintings serves as a poignant tribute to the countless individuals who suffered or lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“2020: Uninvited Unknown” offers a deeply personal and universal exploration of the emotions that defined one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Through a series of bold, abstract works, the artist captures the chaos, isolation, and resilience experienced during the pandemic. The exhibition invites viewers to engage with the raw emotions conveyed in each piece, encouraging reflection on their own experiences during this unprecedented time.

As curator, my intention with this exhibition is to create a space for remembrance and collective healing. The abstract nature of the works allows for a broad interpretation, making each visitor’s experience unique. The exhibition not only honors those we lost, but also celebrates the resilience and solidarity that emerged in the face of global adversity.

The Institute of Contemporary Art welcomes you to join us for this reflective and moving exhibition. We hope that “2020: Uninvited Unknown” will resonate with all who visit, offering both a tribute to the past and a beacon of hope for the future.

For more information about the exhibition, please contact Ilona Morton at ilona.morton@gmail.com.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 12-8pm

Contact:
Institute of Contemporary Arts

Press Release

Exploring the Emotional Landscape of the Pandemic: "2020: Uninvited Unknown"

In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the art world has been a vital space for collective healing, reflection, and understanding. Among the many exhibitions emerging from this period of unprecedented challenge, “2020: Uninvited Unknown” by Ludmila Muravjova, stands out as a particularly poignant exploration of the emotional and psychological toll of the crisis. Currently on display at Institute of Contemporary Art, this collection of abstract paintings offers a raw and visceral portrayal of the pandemic experience, inviting viewers to engage with the often invisible yet deeply felt repercussions of this global event.

The exhibition’s title, “2020: Uninvited Unknown”, encapsulates the essence of the pandemic—a force that arrived unbidden, forcing us to confront the unknown in our lives and within ourselves. Through abstraction, Ludmila Muravjova bypasses literal representation, opting instead to explore the emotional undercurrents that defined 2020. The works on display are characterized by their intense, layered compositions, where colors clash and blend, forms dissolve and reconstitute, and textures evoke both chaos and calm.

One of the most striking features of this exhibition is the way it manages to universalize the pandemic experience while remaining deeply personal. Each painting seems to capture a different aspect of the collective emotional journey we all underwent—fear, isolation, despair, hope, and ultimately, resilience. The abstract nature of the works allows for a broad interpretation, making the exhibition accessible to a wide audience, regardless of their individual experiences during the pandemic.

In one piece, we see a swirling mass of dark tones, punctuated by sharp, jagged lines that seem to cut through the canvas. This work, perhaps more than any other in the collection, speaks to the feelings of isolation and entrapment that many felt during lockdowns. The oppressive use of space, with little room for escape, mirrors the psychological confines imposed by the pandemic. Yet, within this darkness, there are also glimmers of light—small, almost imperceptible, but present nonetheless. These faint flickers suggest that even in the deepest despair, there is always a thread of hope.

Another work, dominated by a more dynamic and vibrant color palette, captures the tumultuous nature of life during the pandemic. The brushstrokes are bold and energetic, conveying a sense of chaos but also movement—an indication that despite the uncertainty, life continued to evolve. The interplay of colors and forms creates a sense of resilience and adaptability, reflecting the ways in which people found new ways to connect, to create, and to survive during such a disruptive time.

Curated by Ilona Morton, the exhibition is thoughtfully arranged to guide the viewer through a spectrum of emotions. The journey begins with works that evoke the shock and disorientation of the pandemic’s onset, gradually moving through pieces that convey the isolation and struggle of the following months, before culminating in works that suggest healing and resilience. This narrative arc is subtle yet powerful, allowing visitors to process their own emotions in tandem with the art.

What makes “2020: Uninvited Unknown” particularly compelling is its refusal to offer easy answers or neatly tied conclusions. Instead, it leaves space for ambiguity and introspection, encouraging viewers to bring their own experiences and emotions into the conversation. This openness makes the exhibition not just a reflection on the past, but a living dialogue that continues to evolve as we move forward from the pandemic.

In the broader context of post-pandemic art, “2020: Uninvited Unknown” is an important contribution. It eschews the temptation to memorialize the pandemic in simple terms, instead offering a complex and multifaceted exploration of the emotional landscape that defined this period. By focusing on the internal rather than the external, Ludmila Muravjova has created a body of work that will resonate deeply with anyone who lived through the events of 2020.

As we navigate the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our lives, exhibitions like this one are crucial. They provide a space for collective remembrance and individual reflection, helping us to understand not just what we went through, but how it has shaped who we are today. In this way, “2020: Uninvited Unknown” is not just an exhibition; it is a testament to the enduring power of art to heal, to connect, and to illuminate the human condition.

For those who have the opportunity to visit Institute of Contemporary Art in the coming weeks, this exhibition is an absolute must-see. It offers not just a chance to reflect on a tumultuous period in recent history, but also a moment to appreciate the resilience of the human spirit, as captured through the powerful medium of abstract art.

Review

"2020: Uninvited Unknown" – A Poignant Reflection on the Pandemic's Unseen Toll

By Alex Pollitt

In a time where the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ludmila Muravjova’s exhibition, “2020: Uninvited Unknown”, at Institute of Contemporary Art offers a stirring and introspective journey into the collective emotional landscape shaped by the crisis. This collection of abstract paintings does not merely depict the pandemic’s visible effects but delves deeply into the invisible emotional and psychological toll that it has exacted on humanity.

From the moment you step into the gallery, it is clear that this exhibition is not meant to offer comfort. Instead, it confronts viewers with the raw, unfiltered emotions that many of us felt during those dark months. The abstraction in these works is deliberate, allowing the artist to bypass the literal and engage directly with the subconscious. The swirling forms, fragmented compositions, and at times chaotic use of color all speak to the disorientation and uncertainty that marked 2020.

One of the most striking aspects of “2020: Uninvited Unknown” is its ability to evoke a sense of shared experience while still resonating on an individual level. Each painting, with its layered textures and complex color palettes, seems to capture a different facet of the pandemic’s impact. Some pieces convey a sense of suffocating isolation, with dark, oppressive tones and claustrophobic compositions. Others hint at resilience and the faint glimmers of hope that pierced through the gloom, using lighter hues and more dynamic forms to suggest a way forward.

The exhibition’s title, “2020: Uninvited Unknown”, is a fitting encapsulation of the experience it seeks to portray. The pandemic was an unwelcome guest, arriving without warning and forcing us into an unwanted confrontation with the unknown. The artist’s approach to this theme is both visceral and cerebral, compelling the viewer to not only recall their own experiences but to also consider the collective grief that binds us.

Ludmila Muravjova’s decision to forgo any representational elements is a bold one, and it pays off. By refusing to anchor the viewer in the familiar, the artist leaves room for a more profound, personal engagement with the work. The absence of recognizable forms forces us to rely on our own emotional memories, making each encounter with the paintings deeply personal and introspective.

However, this abstraction may also be a barrier for some. The lack of literal representation means that viewers must bring their own experiences to the table; those seeking a more straightforward narrative might find the exhibition challenging to navigate. Yet, it is precisely this challenge that gives the exhibition its power. In demanding active participation from the viewer, “2020: Uninvited Unknown” transforms the gallery space into a site of collective mourning and reflection.

As a whole, the exhibition is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to those we lost, as well as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It captures the ambiguity and complexity of the pandemic experience, refusing to reduce it to a single narrative. Instead, it embraces the full spectrum of emotions—from fear and despair to hope and endurance—offering a space where we can begin to process what has been an unimaginable collective trauma.

“2020: Uninvited Unknown” is not just an exhibition; it is an invitation to remember, to reflect, and to heal. It stands as a reminder that even in the face of an uninvited, unknown force, art can offer us a way to make sense of the chaos and to find beauty in our shared humanity. This is a must-see for anyone looking to understand the emotional and psychological undercurrents of our recent history, as well as for those who seek solace in the universality of the human experience.