Asian artists hone weapons in fight against COVID-19

Creative posters and comics are helping people cope with the pandemic

Detail of a vintage propaganda-style poster by Vietnamese graphic artist Le Duc Hiep exhorting people to stay home during the coronavirus outbreak. (Courtesy of Le Duc Hiep)

JOHANNA SON, Contributing writer

April 21, 2020 10:12 JST

BANGKOK -- Amid the human tragedies of the COVID-19 pandemic, art can feel like a frivolous distraction. But several Southeast Asian artists are honing their creative drive into powerful weapons in the global fightback.

"Our country doesn't ask you to go to the battlefield -- just stay at home," Vietnamese graphic artist Le Duc Hiep said in a Facebook post releasing a vintage propaganda-style poster exhorting people to close ranks.