While more than 6M Victorians enter strict Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions, in our biggest cities Australian artists are forced to lean on their creative projects to get through the hard times.

Victorian artist Jasmine Mansbridge, who is known for a huge colourful wall art mural on Johnston Street, Collingwood and large scale installations at the National Gallery of Victoria says the coronavirus crisis has emphasised how grateful she is to have a creative outlet at the moment – finishing off a 150kg, 2mx2m installation for SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.

The artist was planning on heading to QLD for the big event, instead she will be in Victoria under lockdown.

Like most Australians, the year turned out different to how the mum of five had expected. Her projects in France and Beijing were delayed and most of the year has been spent locked down due to COVID-19, homeschooling children and taking care of the immediate family needs.

“It’s been a crazy, disruptive year – I’ve been doing most of my painting at night when the kids are in bed,” says Ms Mansbridge who unfortunately won’t be travelling with the huge installation, which was funded by a Victorian arts grant.

“Some people lose inspiration in hard times, for me doing art keeps me sane – it’s all become more powerful now that we can’t go anywhere. At least my art can still travel.”