At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people stayed home most of the day to keep the virus from spreading, Jesung Bang, an artist from the Republic of Korea, was a frequent user of food delivery services. One day, while waiting for his food, he started to think about the future of diets, especially the types of protein people will consume in the future.
“Indiscriminate food consumption and climate change will make all food resources extinct except for some insects,” says Jesung, as he reflects on his thoughts of the future. “In 2050, insects will be served for dinner in high-end restaurants.”
Jesung Bang, 2050 meat pie
Jesung was one of 27 artists who submitted his future vision of health as part of the WHO Futures Art Exhibition: Envisioning the Future of Health in 2050. Launched in early 2022, the art exhibition called on artists around the world to present their vision of health and well-being in the Western Pacific by 2050. His digital art piece titled 2050 meat pie depicts a woven cocoon that looks like red meat and sends an alarming message about the impact of climate change on our futures.
“We should think about what we can do to prevent our birthday dinners from being full of insects without any other options,” he explained.
Jesung Bang creates an artwork in his studio. He says COVID-19 isolation gave him a lot of time to think about the future of health. Photo courtesy of Jesung Bang.
Art as a tool for change
Built on the notion that art is a powerful tool in understanding ourselves, the virtual art exhibition showcases 63 art pieces that depict artists’ messages about mental health, the environment and technology, and how each of these will shape the future of health. Some artists also show through their art how the world could solve complex problems and strive towards a better, healthier future.
Miguel Punzalan, an artist from the Philippines, hopes for a future where everyone is guaranteed universal health care along with equal access to clean water, healthy food and basic necessities.
Miguel Punzalan, Sprawl
In his artwork, Sprawl, a nude-coloured amorphous object symbolizes an ambiguous and bleak future – a vision that stemmed from his own experience of trying to receive hospital care and timely treatments during the pandemic. He warns that, for everyone to be able to receive care, technologies and infrastructure cannot be dominated by a handful of companies. “Structural changes will be needed to address the problems we are facing, to transform the environments we live in and to make a big impact,” he urged.
Bringing people together through art
In Wuhan, China, one of the first cities impacted by COVID-19, artist Fan Zhang expresses through art the importance of human connection for good health and well-being. The artwork he submitted for the exhibition, These days-extrusion, depicts multiple people crowding a monotone space, representing the fear of death and the mental health struggles he and many people face.
Fan Zhang, These days-extrusion
“My work has always focused on the state of existence and meaning of life, their reflection on real lives. What I wanted to express here is the intense conflicts among people, physical injury and others,” Fan explained. He was able to improve his own mental health and that of others by being a part of artist communities, enjoying entertainment and exercising.
Now that the emergency phase of COVID-19 has ended, some of the artists hope to keep communicating about the future of health through art and showcase how art can help people and communities through future challenges.
Artist Fan Zhang from China expresses the importance of human connection for health and well-being. Photo courtesy of Fan Zhang.
“New media and visual arts can collaborate with the medical sciences to promote and educate the public about health, safety and well-being by producing public service shows together,” says Miguel. “This will help health promotion messages reach audiences, including in hard-to-reach environments.”
“Art can challenge people,” Fan says. “Through art I can draw people’s attention to thinking about what could be done to create a healthier future for people – art will play a positive role in building a healthy society of the future,” he said.
Art also has a way of bringing people together, says Jesung. “Art will always have a place − art therapy helps battle illness or injury and promotes holistic wellness. Artistic murals in underdeveloped villages enhance villagers’ mental health by bringing vibrancy and tourists. Art in the future will be a unique tool to keep human lives healthier and dignified.”